San Diego, CA
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LiveUpdated Jul 5Gas prices near 92103
San Diego, CA · CA average $5.64/gal
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Finding cheap gas in San Diego (92103)
Hillcrest crowns the Uptown mesa just north of Balboa Park, and along with Bankers Hill and Mission Hills it makes up one of San Diego's densest, most walkable urban cores. That very walkability means fuel retail is thin on the ground here, squeezed between apartments, restaurants, and medical campuses.
Washington Street and University Avenue are the arterials to work. Stations cluster where these cross Fourth, Fifth, and Sixth Avenues and out toward the Mission Hills edge, but space is at a premium, so the few stations that exist can lean on a captive neighborhood crowd that does not want to drive far.
If you are willing to drop down toward Mission Valley or over to the larger corridors in adjacent North Park, you will usually find more competition and a slightly better price than the convenience stations tucked into the Hillcrest grid. For a quick top-off, though, the Washington Street options are the practical pick.
Nearby ZIP codes in San Diego, CA
How to save more on gas in San Diego
1. Use warehouse clubs
Costco and Sam’s Club typically price 15-25 cents per gallon below nearby stations. Membership pays for itself within a few fill-ups.
2. Fill up early in the week
Stations often raise prices Thursday for weekend demand. Fill up Monday through Wednesday to avoid the lift.
3. Keep tires properly inflated
Properly inflated tires improve fuel economy by up to 3 percent at current prices. Check pressure once a month.
4. Check back tomorrow
Prices can shift 10-20 cents overnight during volatile markets. A quick check before you leave home avoids paying yesterday’s spike.
5. Pay cash at split-pricing stations
Stations with cash and credit split pricing typically save an average of 10 cents per gallon when you pay cash.
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About gas prices in California
California has the highest gas taxes in the nation at roughly 60 cents per gallon when you combine the state excise tax with the cap-and-trade program and underground storage fee. The state requires a special CARB-formulated fuel that only a handful of in-state refineries can produce, so a single refinery outage can spike prices statewide within 48 hours. Costco, Sam's Club, and Arco are typically the cheapest across Los Angeles, San Francisco, San Diego, and Sacramento metros, while Chevron, Shell, and 76 dominate freeway exits. Stations along Interstate 5 and US 101 commonly run 10 to 20 cents higher than equivalent stations a mile off the freeway.