Menlo Park Chevron Reaches Record High Gas Prices

Prices at a Menlo Park gas station range from $7.49 to $7.89 per gallon, leaving drivers stunned.

Mar. 23, 2026 at 6:22am

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A Chevron gas station in Menlo Park, California was nearly empty on Sunday evening as prices reached record highs, ranging from $7.49 to $7.89 per gallon. Locals expressed shock at the prices, with one saying "They're absolutely stupid. California has too high taxes, too many regulations, and too many things that drive the gas price up." An expert cited the damage to oil infrastructure in the Middle East and lack of competition among refineries in California as key factors behind the soaring costs.

Why it matters

The record-high gas prices in Menlo Park reflect a broader trend of skyrocketing fuel costs across California, which has some of the highest gas prices in the nation. This is putting a major strain on residents' budgets and raising concerns about the long-term impacts on the state's economy and infrastructure.

The details

The Chevron station on Avy Avenue and Alameda de Las Pulgas in Menlo Park was nearly empty on Sunday evening due to its extremely high gas prices. Locals said they had never seen prices that high at the station, which is known for having above-average costs. An expert cited the damage to oil infrastructure in the Middle East from recent conflicts as a key factor, as well as the lack of competition among refineries in California that allows them to capture higher profits.

  • Prices at the Menlo Park Chevron station ranged from $7.49 to $7.89 per gallon on Sunday, March 23, 2026.
  • Prices in California have risen by almost $1 per gallon since the start of the war, according to an expert.

The players

Argenis Del Rio

A Menlo Park resident who was dining out with family and expressed dismay at the high gas prices.

Fred

A Menlo Park resident who was also dining out and called the gas prices "absolutely stupid."

Paasha Mahdavi

The director of the energy governance and political economy lab at UC Santa Barbara, who provided expert analysis on the factors driving up California's gas prices.

Jesse Nall

A resident of Oakland who said he spends about $70 to fill three-quarters of a tank, up from $55 last year.

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What they’re saying

“It's ridiculous. Yeah, I feel bad for my family members here. They drive all gas so.”

— Argenis Del Rio

“They're absolutely stupid. California has too high taxes, too many regulations, and too many things that drive the gas price up.”

— Fred

“Since the war began, prices have risen here in California by almost a dollar per gallon. It keeps going up. It was about 91 cents per gallon about four, five days ago. It's creeping about a dollar more per gallon.”

— Paasha Mahdavi, Director of the energy governance and political economy lab at UC Santa Barbara

“I do recall last year, the same tank would cost me about $55. Those little details, when you try to keep your budget at a fixed rate, it's pretty noticeable. I don't drive often. I try to avoid consuming fuel as much as I possibly can. As it goes up, I'm even more conscious of the fact that my costs are going higher and higher every month.”

— Jesse Nall

What’s next

Experts say high gas prices could continue into 2027 if the conflicts in the Middle East and issues with oil infrastructure persist.

The takeaway

The record-high gas prices at the Menlo Park Chevron station reflect the broader trend of skyrocketing fuel costs across California, which is putting a major strain on residents' budgets and raising concerns about the long-term impacts on the state's economy and infrastructure. While a state gas tax suspension could provide short-term relief, the underlying issues of global oil supply and lack of competition among refineries in California will likely keep prices elevated for the foreseeable future.