Average gasoline prices in Modesto have fallen 4.8 cents per gallon in the last week, averaging $3.98/gallon on Dec. 9, according to GasBuddy’s survey of 201 stations in Modesto. Prices in Modesto are 25.6 cents per gallon lower than a month ago and stand 40.7 cents per gallon lower than a year ago. The national average price of diesel has declined 2.3 cents in the last week and stands at $3.49 per gallon.

According to GasBuddy price reports, the cheapest station in Modesto was priced at $3.29/gallon while the most expensive was $4.81, a difference of $1.52/gallon. The lowest price in the state was $3.25 while the highest was $6.79, a difference of $3.54/gallon.

The national average price of gasoline has fallen 3.1 cents per gallon in the last week, averaging $2.97/gallon. The national average is down 8.7 cents per gallon from a month ago and stands 17.7 cents per gallon lower than a year ago, according to GasBuddy data compiled from more than 11 million weekly price reports covering over 150,000 gas stations across the country.

Neighboring areas and their current gas prices include: Stockton - $4.03/gallon, down 4.8 cents from last week’s $4.08; Oakland - $4.31, down 6.0 cents from $4.37; and San Jose - $4.23, down 10.5 cents per gallon from last week’s $4.34/gallon.

“The national average has finally fallen below $3 per gallon, and it couldn’t come at a better time for motorists with the holidays upon us. One would need to count over 1,300 days since we’ve seen the national average this low, with the affordability of gasoline at its lowest non-COVID level since 2015,” said Patrick De Haan, head of petroleum analysis at GasBuddy. “The good news is that we’ll likely continue to see additional downward pressure on gas prices, with the national average potentially falling another 10 to 15 cents by Christmas.”

Historical gasoline prices in Modesto and the national average going back 10 years show the lowest average locally was $2.43 per gallon, on Dec. 9 in both 2015 and 2016; while the lowest U.S. average on Dec. 9 was $2.01 in 2015. Highest local average price of $4.57 per gallon was recorded on Dec. 9, 2021 with highest U.S. average of $3.34 in 2022.

GasBuddy is the authoritative voice for gas prices and the only source for station-level data. GasBuddy’s survey updates 288 times every day from the most diverse list of sources covering nearly 150,000 stations nationwide, the most comprehensive and up-to-date in the country.