• Home
  • Latest
  • Fortune 500
  • Finance
  • Tech
  • Leadership
  • Lifestyle
  • Rankings
  • Multimedia
Financegas prices

Glitch at California gas station lowers gas price to 69 cents per gallon for three hours

By
Chris Morris
Chris Morris
Former Contributing Writer
Down Arrow Button Icon
By
Chris Morris
Chris Morris
Former Contributing Writer
Down Arrow Button Icon
June 10, 2022, 12:03 PM ET

Lucky customers in Rancho Cordova, Calif., got a tremendous break on gas prices Thursday, when an error at a local Shell station shaved more than $6 per gallon off the price at the pump.

A glitch at the station seemingly reset prices from $6.99 per gallon for premium gas to $0.69. It took three hours for the station to correct the error, which was plenty of time for word to spread, and that Shell quickly became the most popular station in town.

One customer even posted video of the deal on his Instagram page:

https://www.instagram.com/p/Cemi2OwPkFO/

As the nation gets used to the idea of $5 per gallon averages nationwide, that price is a happy memory for most of California. According to AAA, the average gallon of regular sells for $6.42 in the state, the highest rate in the country.

Even for premium gas, the Rancho Cordova Shell station’s $6.99 average was high, though. The average premium gallon sells for $6.77 in Sacramento County (where Rancho Cordova is located), according to AAA.

Gas prices in California haven’t been in the 69-cent range since June 1978 (and even then, the average was likely for regular gas, not premium).

Oil prices have steadily increased of late, nearing $120 per barrel, and the post–Memorial Day period always results in a surge in demand for gas, which has sent prices steadily higher. Drivers have yet to change their habits, however.

“There is a high probability that prices could go even higher in the weeks ahead,” said Patrick De Haan, head of petroleum analysis at GasBuddy, in a statement.

Sign up for the Fortune Features email list so you don’t miss our biggest features, exclusive interviews, and investigations.

About the Author
By Chris MorrisFormer Contributing Writer

Chris Morris is a former contributing writer at Fortune, covering everything from general business news to the video game and theme park industries.

See full bioRight Arrow Button Icon

Latest in Finance

Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025

Most Popular

Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Fortune Secondary Logo
Rankings
  • 100 Best Companies
  • Fortune 500
  • Global 500
  • Fortune 500 Europe
  • Most Powerful Women
  • World's Most Admired Companies
  • See All Rankings
  • Lists Calendar
Sections
  • Finance
  • Fortune Crypto
  • Features
  • Leadership
  • Health
  • Commentary
  • Success
  • Retail
  • Mpw
  • Tech
  • Lifestyle
  • CEO Initiative
  • Asia
  • Politics
  • Conferences
  • Europe
  • Newsletters
  • Personal Finance
  • Environment
  • Magazine
  • Education
Customer Support
  • Frequently Asked Questions
  • Customer Service Portal
  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms Of Use
  • Single Issues For Purchase
  • International Print
Commercial Services
  • Advertising
  • Fortune Brand Studio
  • Fortune Analytics
  • Fortune Conferences
  • Business Development
  • Group Subscriptions
About Us
  • About Us
  • Press Center
  • Work At Fortune
  • Terms And Conditions
  • Site Map
  • About Us
  • Press Center
  • Work At Fortune
  • Terms And Conditions
  • Site Map
  • Facebook icon
  • Twitter icon
  • LinkedIn icon
  • Instagram icon
  • Pinterest icon

Latest in Finance

A UPS employee pulls a cart full out packages.
EconomyTariffs
FedEx and UPS are pledging to give their tariff refunds back to consumers, and the sum will likely top $5 billion
By Sasha RogelbergApril 29, 2026
32 minutes ago
WASHINGTON, DC - JUNE 25: Fed Chair Jerome Powell testifies before the Senate Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs during a hearing to "examine the Semiannual Monetary Policy Report to the Congress" on Capitol Hill on June 25, 2025 in Washington, DC. Powell says that the central bank will wait for clearer economic signals on the effects of President Donald Trump's tariffs on the economy before cutting interest rates, despite pressure from the President and divisions among Fed officials. (Photo by Kent Nishimura/Getty Images)
Bankingjerome powell
Jerome Powell defies Trump one last time, holding rates steady: ‘The facts have moved decisively in the hawkish direction,’ top economist says
By Eva RoytburgApril 29, 2026
35 minutes ago
Meta quietly rolls out stablecoin payments four years after demise of controversial Libra project
CryptoMeta
Meta quietly rolls out stablecoin payments four years after demise of controversial Libra project
By Jack Kubinec and Ben WeissApril 29, 2026
47 minutes ago
Starbucks is winning customers back after investing $500 million in workers and stores
Workplace CultureFortune 500
Starbucks is winning customers back after investing $500 million in workers and stores
By Phil WahbaApril 29, 2026
2 hours ago
Robinhood CEO says a ‘tokenization supercycle’ is underway
CryptoRobinhood
Robinhood CEO says a ‘tokenization supercycle’ is underway
By Jeff John RobertsApril 29, 2026
3 hours ago
Lloyd Blankfein, former chief executive officer of Goldman Sachs
SuccessCareers
Former Goldman Sachs CEO: Ivy League geniuses aren’t always the most successful—This overlooked skill is key
By Emma BurleighApril 29, 2026
3 hours ago

Most Popular

Apple cofounder Ronald Wayne—whose stake would be worth up to $400 billion had he not sold it in 1976—says that at 91, he has no regrets
Success
Apple cofounder Ronald Wayne—whose stake would be worth up to $400 billion had he not sold it in 1976—says that at 91, he has no regrets
By Preston ForeApril 27, 2026
2 days ago
‘The cost of compute is far beyond the costs of the employees’: Nvidia executive says right now AI is more expensive than paying human workers
AI
‘The cost of compute is far beyond the costs of the employees’: Nvidia executive says right now AI is more expensive than paying human workers
By Sasha RogelbergApril 28, 2026
1 day ago
‘Take the money and run’: Johns Hopkins economist Steve Hanke on why the UAE quit OPEC
Energy
‘Take the money and run’: Johns Hopkins economist Steve Hanke on why the UAE quit OPEC
By Shawn TullyApril 29, 2026
12 hours ago
Current price of gold as of April 28, 2026
Personal Finance
Current price of gold as of April 28, 2026
By Danny BakstApril 28, 2026
1 day ago
The U.S. military may have already used up half of its most expensive missiles, and it could take up to 4 years to rebuild its stockpiles
Politics
The U.S. military may have already used up half of its most expensive missiles, and it could take up to 4 years to rebuild its stockpiles
By Sasha RogelbergApril 24, 2026
5 days ago
Current price of silver as of Tuesday, April 28, 2026
Personal Finance
Current price of silver as of Tuesday, April 28, 2026
By Joseph HostetlerApril 28, 2026
1 day ago

© 2026 Fortune Media IP Limited. All Rights Reserved. Use of this site constitutes acceptance of our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy | CA Notice at Collection and Privacy Notice | Do Not Sell/Share My Personal Information
FORTUNE is a trademark of Fortune Media IP Limited, registered in the U.S. and other countries. FORTUNE may receive compensation for some links to products and services on this website. Offers may be subject to change without notice.