This article was written in partnership with The Associated Press. The Mendocino Voice and The Associated Press partner to bring relevant fact-based nonpartisan news and information to Mendocino County readers through the AP Fund for Journalism. Learn more about the program here.
MENDOCINO CO., 3/4/26 – The average price for a gallon of gasoline in the U.S. has jumped roughly 20 cents over the last 48 hours, as war engulfs the Middle East and shipments of oil and gas remain stranded in the Persian Gulf.
But for Mendocino County residents, the spike is hitting a market that was already significantly higher than the national average. While a gallon of regular was selling for $3.20 on average in the U.S. on Wednesday, according to motor club AAA, prices across the North Coast remained nearly $1.50 higher.
In Ukiah, The Mendocino Voice spotted regular gas as high as $4.69 on Tuesday night, though the local Costco remained a regional outlier at $4.09 on Wednesday morning. Further north at Chevron in Willits and south at Hopland Food & Gas, prices stations held at $4.79 on Tuesday night, according to user reports via the GasBuddy app. On the coast, where transportation costs typically drive prices higher, GasBuddy reported $4.95 a gallon in Gualala.
Gasoline prices were already rising before the U.S. launched strikes on Iran as refiners began the seasonal switch to summer-blend fuel. In California, where the statewide average reached $4.74 on Wednesday, according to AAA, that transition is particularly costly. State regulators with the California Air Resources Board require a specialized "boutique" blend designed to reduce smog-forming emissions in warmer weather. The higher production cost for this specific blend, combined with California’s environmental mandates, traditionally keeps the state's prices well above the national curve.
On Tuesday, oil prices soared to levels not seen in more than a year as Iran launched a series of retaliatory attacks, including a drone strike on the U.S. Embassy in Saudi Arabia. Iran has also struck energy facilities in Qatar and Saudi Arabia, and disrupted tanker traffic through the Strait of Hormuz, the narrow mouth of the Persian Gulf through which a fifth of all oil traded passes, sending global oil and natural gas prices soaring.
President Donald Trump addressed the rising prices in remarks in the Oval Office Tuesday. “We have a little high oil prices for a little while, but as soon as this ends, those prices are going to drop, I believe, lower than even before,” he said.
Benchmark U.S. crude settled at $74.14 a barrel Wednesday, while Brent crude, the international standard, traded at $80.88. Both have surged more than 12% since the conflict began Saturday, as global markets react to concerns that the war will clog the flow of crude through the Persian Gulf.
The price of crude is the single largest factor in how much U.S. drivers pay for fuel. And higher oil prices are usually felt at the pump within a couple of weeks at most. In Mendocino County, where many residents face long-distance commutes along the Highway 101 corridor, those effects are expected to be felt almost immediately.
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The national price spike as a result of the major joint military offensive against Iran is only temporary, while the taxes imposed by the state, and the lack of refineries here are indefinite. In fact, they are about to become worse, with some estimates at $8 per gallon for regular gasoline by the end of the year, before the attack on Iran.
Wait for it. Comments are coming blaming Trump for the high price of gas in California…
Dave is right about the lack of refineries in California. Valero’s refinery in Benicia closing due too high operating costs and strict state environmental regulations
The United States is energy independent. Yes, there is a temporary blimp in higher cost per barrel of oil because of Epic Fury. However, look at the big picture. According to Dept. of Energy, the U.S. is producing 24 million barrels oil and liquid fuels per day. That’s more than Russia and Saudi Arabia combined.
if Harris were President, under “net zero carbon emissions” agenda, oil would be over $100 per barrel today.
We are in good shape. We don’t need Middle Eastern oil. USA!
Mendocino Voice never fails to disappoint with its bullshit liberal headlines like this one committing the fact that California pays a dollar more than other states due to the leftist Governor Newsom gas tax while our tax dollars are squandered away giving free needles and drug packs and providing for LGBTQ programs that waste our tax dollars while they run wealth out of the state. Do better Mendocino Voice. Your lies and commissions are showing to everyone!
Which choice would you prefer: 1) A radical religious country that is the leading state sponsor of terrorism having nuclear weapons pointed at the United States, or, 2) a temporary higher cost of gasoline?
So… if we post a comment in favor of our current governor we are a liberal communists, but if we agree with the current regime and this ‘ just holy war ‘being waged against Iran we are good Americans ! I find for the most part that this paper to be fairly accurate and impartial.” Just the facts Ma’am “officer Friday used to say ! I am a liberal but I am always in search of the truth and sometimes the truth hurts. You can’t have light without darkness.