South Lake Tahoe, CA
6 stations
LiveUpdated Jul 17Gas prices near 96150
South Lake Tahoe, CA · CA average $4.99/gal
Stations near you
Tahoe Tom's
CheapestCheapest nearby4029 Lake Tahoe Blvd
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Finding cheap gas in South Lake Tahoe (96150)
Gas at the top of a mountain, in a resort town, at the end of a long haul up Highway 50 is rarely cheap, and South Lake Tahoe is no exception. Trucking fuel up the grade plus steady tourist demand keeps prices well above what valley drivers pay. The stations string along Lake Tahoe Boulevard (Highway 50) through town and out toward the Y, where Highway 89 splits off toward the west shore.
There is a quirk worth using here. The Nevada line is right at Stateline, but the casino-side stations price for captive visitors and often run higher than the California stations a mile or two back toward the Y. So the usual cross-the-border-for-cheaper-gas instinct does not reliably hold at Tahoe. Check the California stations along the boulevard before assuming Nevada wins.
If you are driving in for a ski or summer weekend, the cheapest tank is almost always the one you buy down the hill in Placerville or the Carson Valley before the final climb.
Today’s lowest gas prices in 96150
- 1. Tahoe Tom's at 4029 Lake Tahoe Blvd offers regular at $5.79/gal (4.1 mi away).
- 2. Safeway at 3376 Lake Tahoe Blvd offers regular at $5.83/gal (2.6 mi away).
- 3. Shell at 2933 US-50 offers regular at $6.09/gal (6.8 mi away).
- 4. Chevron at 2986 US-50 offers regular at $6.09/gal (6.9 mi away).
- 5. Shell at 2525 Lake Tahoe Blvd offers regular at $6.19/gal (0.8 mi away).
Prices are aggregated from station-level data and refreshed daily.
Nearby ZIP codes in South Lake Tahoe, CA
How to save more on gas in South Lake Tahoe
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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California drivers pay 104¢/gal more than the US average.
California pump prices are among the nation's highest. AAA Membership helps you save.
Enjoy Member discounts on gas, hotels, rental cars, and more, plus 24/7 nationwide roadside assistance.
AAA Mountain West Group serves Northern California (LA and San Diego are a separate AAA club).
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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.