Riverside Pump Prices Move Higher Again as Diesel Nears $7

Riverside-area pump prices moved higher again in AAA’s July 31, 2026, metro price check, with regular gasoline averaging $5.606 per gallon and diesel reaching $6.991, just below $7.

The figures are Riverside metro averages, not the posted price at every station in the city. Drivers may see different prices depending on location, brand, fuel grade and station-specific pricing.

Regular gasoline rises across every comparison

AAA listed Riverside regular gasoline at $5.606 per gallon on July 31, up 1 cent from the previous day’s $5.596 average.

The increase was larger over longer comparison periods. Regular gasoline was up 8.1 cents from a week earlier, 34.5 cents from a month earlier and $1.294 from a year earlier.

That means a driver filling a 15-gallon tank would pay about $19.41 more than a year ago at the metro average, although actual costs depend on the vehicle, tank size and station price.

Diesel is closer to $7 and rising faster

Diesel averaged $6.991 per gallon in AAA’s Riverside metro data, up 2.4 cents from the previous day’s $6.967 average.

Diesel also posted the larger increase in every comparison window covered by the price check. It was up 13.4 cents from the prior week, 51 cents from the prior month and $1.923 from the same point a year earlier.

At the current metro average, filling a 25-gallon diesel tank costs about $174.78. Compared with a year ago, the same fill-up would be roughly $48.08 more expensive, before accounting for differences among stations or changes in fuel use.

State and national figures provide broader context

The U.S. Energy Information Administration’s July 28 release, based on prices collected July 27, listed California regular gasoline at $5.489 per gallon and the national average at $4.096. Those are statewide and national comparison figures, not current Riverside metro prices.

For on-highway diesel, EIA listed California at $6.670 per gallon and the United States at $5.313 on July 27. Riverside’s July 31 metro averages were higher than those figures for both regular gasoline and diesel, though the dates and geographic coverage are different.

What higher fuel costs can mean locally

For commuters, the effect depends on mileage, vehicle efficiency and how often they drive. Long-distance workers and households with multiple vehicles are likely to feel a larger direct increase than people who drive less or use more fuel-efficient cars.

Diesel prices matter especially for contractors, delivery drivers, freight operators and businesses that use work trucks or vans. Higher fuel expenses can also become one of several operating costs considered by restaurants, repair companies, landscapers, home-service providers and other businesses that make frequent vehicle trips.

The price data does not establish a specific cause for the increase, and it does not show that every household or business will experience the same impact. Local pump prices can differ substantially from a metro average, so comparing nearby stations before filling up may help.

What are the highest and lowest gasoline or diesel prices you are seeing around Riverside? Share the station and fuel grade with 111things.com.

Sources

• AAA Fuel Prices — California Metro Average Prices
• U.S. Energy Information Administration — Gasoline and Diesel Fuel Update