Gas prices in Butte County are up almost 19 cents from last month, though AAA expects them to drop again when the winter fuel blend comes into stock in November.

CHICO, Calif. - The average cost of gas per gallon in California is now $5.58– an increase of 27 cents from last month and 14 cents from last week. 

AAA says the average price in butte county is $5.31 for a gallon of regular unleaded in Butte County. Last month it was $5.12, so that's an extra 19 cents that people are paying now. 

AAA experts say inventories here on the west coast are at their lowest levels in a decade, partly due to maintenance at refineries.

They say the war in Ukraine, economic concerns, and hurricane season are also driving prices up.

But they also say relief is on the way. Drivers should see prices drop when the winter fuel blend hits the market in November.

“When our refineries are having an issue like some type of unplanned maintenance that's gotta happen, then we have to wait for that product to come from overseas,” said AAA spokesman Doug Shupe.  “Globally, crude oil prices are facing a lot of pressure right now.”

"We have two vehicles. This one here is a beast, and it sucks up the gas,” said Dan Costello, a survivor of the Camp Fire. 

“We don't use this one around town at all, but we use it for trips because it's really comfortable. We have a 2014 Honda, and that's what we use around town all the time because it's so much more efficient than this guy,” Costello added. 

Until then, drivers say they'll continue to cut back on things like entertainment and going out to eat to make up for the cost of gas. 

For some of the lowest prices in our area - Gas Buddy says the Fastrip in Paradise sells regular unleaded for $4.59.

In Anderson, the Safeway on Ball’s Ferry is at $4.89, as well as Oroville's Berry Creek Rancheria.

Ryan Ketcham is a reporter for Action News Now. Reach out to Ryan with story ideas at news@actionnewsnow.com.

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