LOS ANGELES — The average price for regular gasoline in Los Angeles was $5.70 per gallon on July 29, 2026, a 24-cent increase from June 29, 2026. The rise occurred as renewed fighting between the United States and Iran halted traffic through the Strait of Hormuz, increasing oil costs.

The conflict between the United States and Iran has resulted in the closure of the Strait of Hormuz, a key chokepoint for global oil shipments. Ukrainian drone strikes have reduced Russia’s oil refining capacity, and Russia banned diesel exports in July 2026. Crude oil prices reached the $90 per barrel range as supply constraints tightened.

The average price for a gallon of regular gasoline in California was $5.65 on Thursday, July 30, 2026, according to the American Automobile Association. This figure represents a 10-cent increase during the week ending July 29, 2026, from a baseline of $5.64 on Wednesday, July 29, 2026. California state taxes and environmental regulations contribute to gasoline prices that are more than $1.50 per gallon above the national average, which stood at $4.10 on July 30, 2026. The difference between average gasoline prices in California and Indiana exceeds $2 per gallon, with Indiana averaging $3.57 per gallon.

Gasoline prices in Los Angeles ranged from just under $5 per gallon to about $7 per gallon during the week of July 26, 2026. Two gas stations in West Hollywood were charging more than $7.10 per gallon. In contrast, Berri Brothers charged $4.89 per gallon at its Temple City location on Baldwin Avenue.

The Berri family operates 12 gas stations in California, including 11 in Southern California and one in Fresno. Berri Brothers added a gas station in Temple City on Baldwin Avenue in February 2026.

Tarek Wazne, an owner of Berri Brothers, described the financial pressure on independent operators. "We are working off of very thin margins. We are barely paying our bills just to keep our business, especially in a time like this," Wazne said.

Gas stations associated with retailers such as Costco, Sam’s Club, and Safeway often offer lower gasoline prices because those retailers do not rely on fuel sales for primary profit. Gasoline prices are higher at stations located near wealthy neighborhoods, downtown areas, highway on-ramps, and airports.

Patrick De Haan, an analyst at the gas price website GasBuddy, noted that local overhead costs drive disparities between stations. "Community to community in California, there is a lot of differences in what a business will need to charge for gas because of their overhead expenses. The rent may be higher, or the cost of labor may be higher, in one area than another. It creates a buying opportunity in some places and higher prices in others, De Haan said."

He added that timing of fuel purchases contributes to price gaps. In a volatile environment, they can pay up to 80 cents higher or lower than each other. Maybe they bought on the right day from the right supplier, Haan said.

Residents and commuters in Los Angeles navigate these fluctuations by seeking out lower-priced stations. Raymond Cesar, a resident of Los Angeles, noted the appeal of cheaper options. It’s cheaper," Cesar said. Los Angeles is the seat of Los Angeles County and the largest city in California, United States."

The average price for regular gasoline in San Francisco was $5.83 per gallon on July 29, 2026, having increased by nearly 20 cents from June 29, 2026, to July 29, 2026. Prices in other California counties varied widely. The average price for regular gasoline in Mono County, California, was $6.83 per gallon.

Inyo County averaged $6.14 per gallon, while Sierra County averaged $6.10 per gallon. San Luis Obispo County recorded $5.92 per gallon, and Humboldt County recorded $5.90 per gallon. Lower prices were observed in Sutter County at $5.30 per gallon, Tehama County at $5.38 per gallon, Yuba County at $5.38 per gallon, and Butte County at $5.45 per gallon.

A class-action lawsuit alleges that gas station companies operating in California used algorithmic pricing software to set prices artificially high. The Department of Motor Vehicle is a government agency that administers vehicle registration and driver licensing, but it does not regulate fuel pricing. PureSource News previously reported that the American Automobile Association reported U.S. gasoline prices hitting $4.18 per gallon.