The prices of gasoline in the state of California have surpassed that in Hawaii to become the highest in the United Sates.

The average price of gasoline in the state rose to a record high of $4.655 on Sunday, according to the data released by the AAA. The level was higher than Saturday's price of $4.6140, which was the highest level since June 19, 2008, according to the latest data for California.

In some locations, motorists had to pay $5 or more per gallon while in other places, some gas station shad to close down. The highest price was recorded at Long Beach at $6.65 for a gallon of regular and the lowest was recorded at just $3.49 in an outlet in San Pablo.

The average for a gallon of regular was $4.69 in Los Angeles, $4.71 in San Diego and San Francisco, $4.55 in Sacramento and $4.90 in Santa Barbara, according to GasBuddy. com.

Many believe that the sharp rise in the price is due to a temporary reduction in supply in the state and the government is already conspiring options to address the issue. Governor Jerry Brown has ordered state smog regulators to allow winter-blend gasoline to be sold in the state earlier this year to help bring down the prices.