California’s spring breakers will pay more at the pump this year as the average price of gas reached $5 in California’s most populous regions this week, according to the latest figures by the American Automobile Association (AAA).

The average price per gallon for regular blend in the state was $4.99 March 25—17 cents more a gallon than last year, AAA reported.

The cost of gasoline has risen slowly since February, when operators began to switch to state-mandated summer-blend fuel, which is more expensive but is also more eco-friendly.

In Los Angeles and Long Beach, the average reached $5.04 Monday, a 19-cent increase from a year ago.

Orange County drivers were paying an average of $4.99 a gallon Monday, also a 19-cent jump.

Prices reached higher in some Northern California counties.

In Napa’s wine country, prices at the pump averaged $5.12, which was an 18-cent increase over last year. Oakland and San Francisco drivers were paying an average of $5.04 (17 cents more than last year) and $5.16 a gallon (19 cents more), respectively.

“Gas prices are likely to continue trending upward this spring as in prior years,” said spokesman Doug Shupe of the Automobile Club of Southern California, an affiliate of AAA.

The highest recorded average price in California was $6.44, reached on June 14, 2022, when some of the state’s refineries were closed for maintenance.