Imagine the sticker shock for drivers in downtown Los Angeles when they pulled into a Chevron station and saw the price: $8.21 a gallon.

“It’s insane, insane work … it’s too too high. I definitely won’t be coming here for that,” Denise Rodriguez told ABC7.

That price represents the extreme of rising fuel prices driven by the war in Iran.

However, California has the highest priced gas in the nation, an average of $5.20 a gallon for regular, according to AAA — up 73 cents from February.

Premium averages $5.60 in California, and it’s $5.96 for diesel.

Meanwhile, the national average is $3.48 a gallon.

California’s all-time high average for regular is $6.44 — recorded on June 14, 2022. The record-high average for diesel is the $7.01 of June 18, 2022.

Where Are the Bargains?

Fortunately, there are comparative bargains available for Fresno area drivers.

A Fastrip in Kerman sold regular for $4.19 on Sunday, GasBuddy reports. And on Monday,  the EZ Trip at 2171 W. Shaw Ave., in Fresno was selling regular for $4.43.

It’s not just the U.S.-Israeli war with Iran that’s inflating gas prices.

Refinery closures in California and the state’s strict regulations for cleaner burning gas also are contributing, analysts say.