Gas Prices in San Diego Today

San Diego County is averaging around $5.21 per gallon for regular unleaded as of mid-March 2026, slightly cheaper than Los Angeles and San Francisco, but still more than $1.50 above the national average. For frequent drivers in a car-dependent metro, that gap adds up fast.

Why San Diego Is Slightly Cheaper Than LA

San Diego benefits marginally from proximity to the Arizona and Nevada fuel markets, which gives suppliers an additional supply option that LA doesn't have. Border dynamics also play a small role, Tijuana serves as a pressure valve, with some San Diego County residents making cross-border fuel runs when the gap justifies it.

The same structural problems affecting all of California apply here: the state's unique fuel blend requirements, high taxes, refinery closures, and climate program fees. But San Diego's position at the southern end of the state, with slightly different supply logistics than the LA Basin, keeps it a few cents below the state average most of the time.

Where to Find the Cheapest Gas in San Diego

Eastern San Diego County is consistently your best bet. Cities like La Mesa, El Cajon, and Santee run noticeably below the coastal premium you pay near the beach or downtown.

Search by ZIP code:

• El Cajon / La Mesa, 92020, 92041, regularly cited as among the cheapest in the county
• Santee / Lakeside, 92071, 92040, suburban East County pricing
• Chula Vista / National City, 91910, 91950, South Bay stations with solid competition
• Mission Valley / Kearny Mesa, 92108, 92111, high-volume corridor with competitive pricing
• Avoid: La Jolla, Del Mar, Coronado, coastal premium stations consistently 40–60 cents above county average

Costco Advantage in San Diego

San Diego County has several Costco locations and they're among the most reliable cheap gas options in Southern California. The Costco in Santee, Chula Vista, and Morena Boulevard are frequently cited by local drivers as the cheapest consistent options, typically running 30–50 cents below the county average.

Cross-Border Consideration

For South San Diego County residents near the border, Tijuana gas stations have historically offered significantly lower prices, sometimes $2–3 per gallon cheaper. That gap has made cross-border fuel runs a real phenomenon. With current CA prices above $5, the economics of that drive are compelling if you live near the border.

What to Expect Going Forward

San Diego prices are tied to the same factors driving California prices broadly: refinery closures, the state's unique fuel requirements, and global crude prices. The Valero Benicia refinery closure in April 2026 will remove more California supply and could push prices higher statewide, including in San Diego.

Compare prices before every fill-up, in this market, the savings are real.

→ Search gas prices in your San Diego ZIP code

→ See all San Diego ZIP codes

→ California gas prices overview