If you’re planning to hit the road this Memorial Day weekend, your wallet’s already crying. Over 5.8 million Californians are expected to travel, but they’re doing it at a cost that hasn’t stung this badly on a holiday weekend in four years.
Sacramento County is sitting right in the pain zone. Gas is averaging $6.08 per gallon—up nearly 30 cents from April. That’s not pocket change when you’re filling up a tank before a road trip. Statewide, California’s seeing gas prices climb above $6 a gallon across the board, driven partly by international tensions affecting oil markets and partly by state energy policy debates. Chevron stations have even posted signs blaming California regulations for the spike, while Governor Gavin Newsom’s office has fired back, encouraging drivers to avoid Chevron over pricing concerns.
For drivers visiting from out of the area, the shock is real. Mahdi Falahati, visiting from San Jose, put it bluntly:“I was actually thinking let me come fill up in Sacramento area. So I pay less. But the fact that it’s more than right by my house, I’m like, shocked.”He expected Sacramento to be cheaper. Instead, he found the opposite.
But not everyone is taking the hit equally. Electric vehicle drivers like Lucio Hernandez from Santa Rosa are celebrating a different kind of Memorial Day bonus. Hernandez switched from a Dodge truck last month—a vehicle that cost him roughly $500 monthly in fuel—to an EV. Now? He’s charging up for around $20 to $30 per trip. Drivers on Sunday reported charging costs of about $20 for a full charge, a fraction of what gas guzzlers require.
Despite the sticker shock at the pump, Californians aren’t canceling their plans. Family reunions and holiday traditions matter more than high fuel costs. That’s the real story here: people will pay the premium because some trips aren’t optional. They’re about showing up for the people who matter.
About the Author
Andrew Johnson
Andrew Johnson is a contributor to LocalBeat, covering local news and community stories.
