Trending Now - California's Fuel Crisis Sparks Nationwide Concerns Over Prices

WHO:

CNN - Connie Lear stated she has lived in June Lake for 38 years.

CNN - Shelly Channel, a gas station owner, mentioned he sells about 50,000 gallons of gas in a month during the summer.

CNN - Connie Lear, a resident of June Lake, California, stated she limits trips to the nearest grocery store 20 miles away to once a week and uses a bicycle or golf cart instead of driving to check on the 42 vacation rentals she manages around town.

CNN - Shelly Channel, a gas station owner in Lee Vining, California, mentioned he sells about 50,000 gallons of gas in a month during the summer, but only about 5,000 gallons in November and December.

CNN - Connie Lear, a resident of June Lake, California, mentioned that the price of gas at the only station in her town is $7.50 per gallon.

CNN - Shelly Channel, a gas station owner in Lee Vining, California, stated, “It’s not like there’s any shortage of oil. I’m old enough to remember when there was rationing.”

CNN - Connie Lear, a resident of June Lake, California, stated, “My husband and I were watching the news this morning, and it came on about $4 gas and I said, ‘Well, where are you? Ours is $7.50!’”

CNN - Shelly Channel, a gas station owner in Lee Vining, California, has been selling gas since 1978.

IJR - California residents, including Connie Lear from June Lake, and gas station owner Shelly Channel.

CNN - Tom Kloza, independent oil analyst, and Jodie Muller, CEO of the Western States Petroleum Association.

WHAT:

CNN - The price of gas in June Lake is $7.50 per gallon, as reported by Connie Lear.

CNN - The average gas price in California is now reported at $5.93 per gallon.

CNN - Diesel prices in San Francisco have climbed past $8 a gallon, a record for any U.S. city.

CNN - The price of gas at the only station in June Lake is $7.50 per gallon, as reported by Connie Lear.

CNN - The average gas price in Mono County is $6.72 per gallon as of April 4th, 2026, according to AAA.

CNN - The price of regular gas at a Shell station in Lee Vining is currently advertised at $6.85 per gallon, up from $5.69 before the start of the war in Iran.

CNN - The average gas price statewide in California is reported at $5.93 per gallon.

CNN - The average gas price in Mono County was reported at $6.72 per gallon as of April 4th, 2026, according to AAA.

CNN - Gas prices in California have increased by $1.14 nationally since the start of the US-Israel war with Iran.

CNN - A Shell station in Lee Vining advertises regular gas at $6.85 per gallon, up from $5.69 before the war in Iran.

CNN - A Los Angeles-area refinery closed in December 2025, and a Bay Area refinery is scheduled to close in April 2026.

IJR - Diesel prices in San Francisco have climbed past $8 a gallon, a record for any U.S. city.

IJR - The statewide average for diesel in California is $7.67 per gallon, also a record.

CNN - The average gas price in Mono County is $6.72 per gallon as of April 4th, 2026.

CNN - Gas prices in California have increased by $1.29 since the start of the US-Israel war with Iran.

CNN - The current average gas price statewide in California is $5.93 per gallon.

CNN - California has the highest state gasoline tax at 71 cents per gallon.

CNN - A carbon tax unique to California can add another 20 to 25 cents per gallon.

CNN - Regulations requiring cleaner burning gasoline can add an additional 25 cents per gallon.

CNN - A Shell station in Lee Vining advertises regular gas at $6.85 per gallon, up from $5.69 before the war in Iran.

WHERE:

IJR - San Francisco, California.

CNN - June Lake, Mono County, California, near Yosemite National Park and the Nevada state line.

CNN - Lee Vining, California.

WHEN:

CNN - The gas price spike began with the start of the war in Iran in 2025.

CNN - The gas price spike began with the start of the war in Iran, which started in 2025.

CNN - The average gas price in Mono County was reported on April 4th, 2026.

CNN - A gas delivery that prompted a price increase occurred on March 12th, 2026.

CNN - The gas price spike began with the start of the war in Iran.

WHY:

CNN - Rising gas prices in rural areas are attributed to higher transportation costs, limited demand, and reduced competition.

CNN - Rising gas prices in rural areas are attributed to higher transportation costs, limited demand, and reduced competition, as stated by Connie Lear.

CNN - New regulations under consideration could add an additional $5 billion to $9 billion in annual costs to refineries operating in California, according to Jodie Muller, CEO of the Western States Petroleum Association.

CNN - Rising gas prices in rural areas are attributed to higher transportation costs, limited demand, and reduced competition.

CNN - California's high gas prices are due to a combination of taxes, fees, regulations, and refinery closures.

CNN - The closure of multiple refineries has cut the supply of domestic gasoline in California.

HOW:

CNN - A tanker truck must drive over 200 miles, taking four and a half hours, to deliver gasoline from the closest wholesale terminal to Mono County.

CNN - A tanker truck must drive over 200 miles, taking four and a half hours, to deliver gasoline from the closest wholesale terminal to Mono County, which adds to the cost for gas station owners.

CNN - A tanker truck must drive over 200 miles, taking four and a half hours, to deliver gasoline from the closest wholesale terminal to Mono County.

CNN - Gasoline is delivered to Mono County from the closest wholesale terminal, requiring a tanker truck to drive over 200 miles, taking four and a half hours.

CNN - Rural gas station owners face higher fixed costs due to lower sales volumes compared to urban stations.

(UPDATED April 7, 2026 19:19 UTC)

In June Lake, residents are facing a steep gas price of $7.50 per gallon, significantly higher than California's average of $5.93, as noted by local resident Connie Lear. The surge in prices began with the onset of the war in Iran in 2025, and gas station owner Shelly Channel reports selling about 50,000 gallons a month during the summer. Contributing to these rising costs are increased transportation expenses, as tanker trucks must travel over 200 miles to deliver gasoline to Mono County, which limits competition and demand in the area.

(UPDATED April 7, 2026 13:19 UTC)

Gas prices in June Lake, California, have reached $7.50 per gallon, significantly higher than the average price of $6.72 in Mono County as of on Saturday. Connie Lear, a local resident and vacation rental manager, noted that rising prices are due to higher transportation costs, limited demand, and reduced competition, as a tanker truck must travel over 200 miles to deliver gasoline to the area. Meanwhile, Shelly Channel, a gas station owner in nearby Lee Vining, highlighted the stark difference in sales, noting he sells about 50,000 gallons a month in summer but only around 5,000 gallons during the slower winter months.

(UPDATED April 7, 2026 11:15 UTC)

Gas prices in California have seen a significant increase, with Connie Lear from June Lake reporting prices as high as $7.50 per gallon at her local station. In Lee Vining, the price for regular gas at a Shell station has risen to $6.85 per gallon, up from $5.69 since the war in Iran began in 2025, while the statewide average now sits at $5.93 per gallon. This spike is compounded by potential new regulations that could add billions in annual costs to California refineries, and the logistical challenge of transporting gasoline over 200 miles to Mono County.

(UPDATED April 7, 2026 07:19 UTC)

Gas prices in Mono County have reached an average of $6.72 per gallon, with a Shell station in Lee Vining now advertising regular gas at $6.85, a significant increase from $5.69 before the US-Israel war with Iran. Connie Lear, a resident of June Lake, shared her shock at the prices, noting that while the news reported $4 gas, her local price is a staggering $7.50. The situation is further complicated by the closure of a Los Angeles-area refinery last December and another Bay Area refinery scheduled to close this month, alongside potential new regulations that could add billions in costs to California refineries.

(UPDATED April 7, 2026 05:32 UTC)

Diesel prices in San Francisco have surged past $8 a gallon, marking a record high for any U.S. city, while the statewide average for diesel in California now stands at $7.67 per gallon. Gas prices have risen significantly since the start of the US-Israel war with Iran, with the average gas price in Mono County reported at $6.72 per gallon as of on Saturday. Factors contributing to these soaring prices include California's high taxes, fees, and regulations, along with the closure of multiple refineries that have reduced the supply of gasoline in the state.