AAA and GasBuddy data confirm California gas averages $4.63/gallon, higher than any other state including Hawaii

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California drivers are paying $4.63 a gallon. That is 23 cents more than Hawaii and $1.65 above Maryland. AAA and GasBuddy confirm the numbers. State energy rules are clearly inflating prices far beyond other blue states. This is policy-driven pain hitting everyday Californians, not just global market forces.

Per Grok: The current US national average for regular gas is ~$2.98/gallon (AAA, Feb 25 2026).

Federal excise tax: 18.4¢/gal. Average state taxes & fees: 33.5¢/gal (EIA Jan 2026 data). Total taxes: ~52¢/gal.

Without taxes, it’d be around $2.46/gallon. (This subtracts only explicit taxes/fees; other costs like crude, refining & regs stay the same.)

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