California gas prices soar above $5 a gallon — as drivers at one LA pump face frightening new reality

California gas prices surged above $5 a gallon on Saturday in yet another wallet-busting blow to beleaguered drivers.

The average price of a regular gallon of gas hit $5.07 statewide — 17 cents more than Friday and 43 cents more than the week before, according to American Automobile Association.

Prices in the Golden State remain well above the US average of $3.41 a gallon, marking a 9-cent jump nationally from Friday to Saturday.

Prince spikes in the Bay Area outpaced those in Southern California, with San Rafael recording the highest average per gallon at $5.27.

San Francisco and Santa Rosa followed closely behind, at $5.25 and $5.24, respectively.

Farther south, the San Luis Obispo-Atascadero-Paso Robles area recorded a price of $5.23 per gallon.

Southern California drivers saw little relief, with the price standing at $5.16 in the Los Angeles-Long Beach area, $5.15 in Orange County and $5.14 in San Diego.

While prices can vary widely from pump to pump, one Chevron station in downtown Los Angeles came to epitomize the pain facing motorists.

The station boldly advertised prices starting at an eye-popping $8.21 a gallon on Friday, ABC7 reported.

While gas prices in California usually rank among the highest in the nation, the recent attacks on Iran have sent fuel costs surging even more.

Drivers in the Golden State already pay a “California premium” that includes higher than average state excise and sales taxes, as well hefty fees for climate programs unique to the state.

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The state also requires a special and more costly fuel blend designed to prevent smog, which only California’s refineries and specific Asian countries can produce.

Some lawmakers believe the combination of Gov. Gavin Newsom’s green agenda combined with instability in global oil markets could make the prices seen in downtown LA a reality statewide.

The situation risks potentially returning drivers to the desperate fuel rationing not seen since the 1970s, one lawmaker warned.

“It’s not scaremongering at all,” Southern California state Sen. Suzette Valladares told The Post of a report that found gas prices could reach $8 a gallon by the end of 2026.