Colton-area gas and diesel prices rise again; diesel nears $7

Regular gasoline and diesel prices moved higher again in the San Bernardino area on July 31, with regular gas averaging $5.611 per gallon and diesel averaging $6.989. Diesel was close to, but still below, the $7 mark. The latest AAA figures are regional averages, not a citywide average for Colton, but they provide a current benchmark for local drivers.

Regular gasoline keeps climbing

AAA listed regular gasoline at an average of $5.611 per gallon across the San Bernardino area. That was up 1 cent from the previous day, 7.1 cents from a week earlier, 31.5 cents from a month earlier and $1.259 from a year earlier.

Those comparison figures put the earlier averages at approximately $5.601 yesterday, $5.540 last week, $5.296 last month and $4.352 a year ago. A 15-gallon fill-up at the latest regional average would cost about $84.17, compared with roughly $65.28 at the year-ago average.

Diesel is nearly $7 a gallon

Diesel reached an AAA San Bernardino-area average of $6.989 per gallon on July 31. The price was 2.9 cents higher than the previous day, 16.3 cents higher than a week earlier, 53.3 cents higher than a month earlier and $1.907 higher than a year earlier.

Based on those changes, the comparison averages were approximately $6.960 yesterday, $6.826 last week, $6.456 last month and $5.082 a year ago. A 30-gallon diesel fill-up at the latest regional average would cost about $209.67.

One Colton station listed lower prices

A 7-Eleven listing for 202 N. Mount Vernon Avenue at Valley Boulevard in Colton showed regular gasoline at $5.499 per gallon and diesel at $6.799. The business page said its gas prices had been updated within 24 hours.

Those listed prices were 11.2 cents below the AAA regional average for regular gas and 19 cents below the regional diesel average. The comparison is between one station and a regional benchmark, not between two citywide averages.

Prices can change during the day, and other Colton stations may post different amounts.

What higher prices mean locally

Higher regular-gas prices affect household budgets, daily commuters and weekend travelers. The diesel increase can put additional pressure on contractors, delivery drivers, freight operators and service businesses that use diesel-powered vehicles. Those costs may also influence delivery charges and operating expenses for restaurants and other small businesses, although the effect varies by company.

The U.S. Energy Information Administration‘s latest California weekly gasoline and diesel series provides statewide context, but statewide figures should not be used as a substitute for the San Bernardino-area average or a specific Colton station listing.

Drivers can save by comparing nearby stations before filling up, especially when a station-level price is below the broader regional average. What are the highest and lowest pump prices you are seeing in Colton? Share the station and fuel type so other local drivers can compare.

Sources

• AAA Fuel Prices — San Bernardino metro average
• 7-Eleven — 202 N. Mount Vernon Avenue, Colton
• U.S. Energy Information Administration — California fuel prices