Best Day to Buy Gas in California Shifts to Sundays

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According to a new report by gas price expert GasBuddy, the cheapest day of the week to buy gasoline in California and most other states is now Sunday, a shift from previous years when Monday was considered the best day. The analysis found that Sunday is the most consistently affordable day to fill up in 41 states, while midweek, particularly Wednesday through Friday, tends to be more expensive.

Why it matters

This change in the best day to buy gas is significant for California drivers, as the difference in price between the cheapest and most expensive days of the week can be 4 to 9 cents per gallon. With the state's high gas prices, even small savings can add up quickly for consumers.

The details

GasBuddy's report noted a sharp and predictable weekly swing in states that follow a pattern of 'price cycling,' in which prices are consistently raised on a certain day of the week and then decline before the next spike. In California, Tuesday is now considered the most expensive day to buy gas.

• The analysis was released on February 18, 2026.
• The average price of regular unleaded gas in California as of February 18, 2026 was $4.59 per gallon, up from $4.21 in January but down from $4.85 in February 2025.