Gasoline prices are likely headed higher in the weeks ahead as the impact of refinery maintenance and outages, particularly in California, trickle through the market ahead of the yearly switch to more expensive summer blends.

The average fuel price in state has declined about 8 cents since last month. According to the EIA, gas prices across the state in the last year have been as low as $2.61 on Jan. 8, 2024, and as high as $3.65 on April 22, 2024.

While prices at the pump are lower than they were at this time last year, fuel costs are still up by about 4 cents per gallon compared to this time last month, per AAA data. The national average