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Why are gas prices soaring in San Luis Obispo County?

April 13, 2025

By KAREN VELIE

Average gas prices in San Luis Obispo County continue soaring despite national and state gas prices dropping amid falling oil prices. OPEC increased oil production at a time of tepid demand in the United States leading to lower costs in most of the country.

Nevertheless, gas prices in San Luis Obispo County rose nine cents last week to $5.10 a gallon, according to figures from AAA.

Even though gas prices are falling in many California counties – the average price of gas in Santa Barbara County is $4.77 a gallon – in San Luis Obispo and a dozen other California counties prices are increasing.

Gov. Gavin Newsom accuses fuel producers of price gouging while other government officials blame Newsom’s policies.

“Despite Gavin Newsom’s tin foil hat conspiracy theories about ‘gas price gouging,’ the only one ripping off Californians at the pump is him,” said Assembly Minority Leader James Gallagher to The Center Square. “From raiding gas tax money for bike lanes to bankrolling his failed bullet train with cap-and-trade revenue, Newsom has jumped at every opportunity to line his friends’ pockets at the expense of California drivers.”

In California the average price for a gallon of gas dropped six cents last week to $4.89. Nationally, gas prices fell seven seven cents to $3.18 a gallon amid the change to summer-blend gas.

SLO County currently has the 13th highest price for gas in the state. Listing the highest average price, Mono County’s price for a gallon of regular gasoline this week is $5.87. Imperial County boasts the lowest average cost at $4.62 a gallon.

Where in SLO County do you find the cheapest gas prices? Using data from GasBuddy, we’ve compiled a list of gas stations with cheaper prices.

Top 10 lowest priced gas stations in SLO County:

  1. San Paso Truck Stop – Paso Robles, Wellsona Road: $4.39
  2. Pismo Beach Gas – Pismo Beach, 4th Street: $4.49
  3. Costco – San Luis Obispo, Froom Ranch way: $4.55
  4. One Stop Food – Paso Robles, Spring Street: $4.55
  5. Conserv Fuel – San Luis Obispo, Santa Rosa Street: $4.55
  6. VP Racing Fuels – Paso Robles, Spring Street: $4.57
  7. Pacific Pride – Grover Beach, Huber Street: $4.58
  8. Arco – Paso Robles, Niblick Road: $4.63
  9. Speedway – San Luis Obispo, 296 Santa Rosa Street: $4.65
  10. Vons – Nipomo, Tefft Street: $4.69

 


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Thought gas prices were going to go down with trump? Thats what he promised. Guess he has been too busy gutting the constitution and crashing the world economy.

But don’t dont worry. Marjorie Taylor Green was getting rich while your prices go up…


-15

Price gouging is the only reason, all else is a waste of words. For those who like to waste words, sell used cars or go into politics as a profession.


-19

$5.09 for a gallon of regular at the 76 station in Los Osos… Lucky us.


5

The “pro corporation” people are some of the most confounding imo…just; why? Why would anyone believe a corporation isn’t the bad guy?


-23

Never hold Opec or Russia or any exporting and import oil barrons accountable; never mention the ones running global oil and world power. Never. People would stop paying taxes if they knew the truth, basic, High School civics and economics. But, keeping right wing voters poor and illiterate and giving them access to cable and religion keeps them in line. And talking about Trans Mr potatoe head and book banning and killing free speech right wing things. Oil truth is the last thing on their mind. Focusing on 1000 Trans Americans is the talking point. Not you know, reality.


-26

Actually, it’s fairly well known who has set the extra gas prices:


https://www.msn.com/en-us/money/markets/californias-secret-50-cent-gas-tax-hike-coming-in-the-next-two-years/ar-BB1mi7fQ


19

“set the extra gas prices” lol, like alternate facts fox news regular fodder.


The retailers network sets the gas prices, always have.


That trope is done, it was overused.


-25

You are denying that we pay nearly a dollar more per gallon, strictly for state and local taxes? State taxes that are scheduled to rise annually?


Refining gas in the state, is more expensive, due to regulations no other states use.


We have the highest state and local gas taxes.


Environmental programs costs, come from gas taxes.


“Summer blend” gas costs much more to make, and the state has a much shorter Winter than most of the country.


While state based refineries make enough unique state required gas blends, that no other state uses, nor sells in California, we occasionally import gas from other countries by sea, blended to our standard, to lift inventory to meet demand. This imported gas costs 1/3 more than locally refined, and may reach the state 3-4 weeks after the order.


So, yes. The state sets the price through taxes and regulations. The retailer barley make $0.04 per gallon. With such a tiny profit margin, it is why “service stations” no longer exist, when they can make more money selling junk food, beer, ice, and soda to travelers.


9

No, the state does not set the price.


Lecture someone else, I know how it works.

Repeating the trope does not make it true.


-3

Stop voting for anti fossil fuel extremists….


11