California: Average Price of Gasoline Hits $4.00

According to the latest figures by AAA, the State of California hit an average price of $4.00 per gallon of gasoline Monday. With summer coming, prices are expected to further increase.

In East Contra Costa County a Regular gallon of gas ranged from as low as $3.69 per gallon in Pittsburg to a high of $3.99 in Antioch and Brentwood this morning. Nationally, gas prices averaged $3.507 per gallon in March, which was 17 cents per gallon higher than the monthly average in February.

AAA did say today’s national average is about eight cents per gallon cheaper than a year ago, which is a significant difference from late February when the national average was about 39 cents per gallon cheaper than the same day in 2013.

A few gas prices in around East Contra Costa County:

Antioch

• $3.69 – Costco (Verne Roberts Cir/Crow Ct.)
• $3.79 – ARCO (Contra Loma/Buchanan)
• $3.94 – Chevron (Lone Tree Way/Deer Valley)
• $3.94  – Valero (Lone Tree Way/Putnam)
• $3.99 – 76 (Hillcrest / E. Tregallas)

Brentwood

• $3.79 – Quick Stop (Walnut Blvd/Dainty)
• $3.79 – Conserv Fuel (Brentwood Blvd/Village Dr)
• $3.82 – ARCO (Lone Tree Way/Empire)
• $3.99 – Chevron (Griffith Lane/Balfour)
• $3.99 – Shell (Lone Tree Way/ CA-4)

Oakley:

• $3.75 – ARCO (Main St/W. Cypress)
• $3.89 – 7-Eleven (Main St./Empire)
• $3.99 – Chevron (Neroly Rd/Main)

Pittsburg:

• $3.69 – Bonfare Market (Railroad/Marks Blvd)
• $3.75 – ARCO (E. Leland Rd/Loveridge)
• $3.93 – 7-Eleven (Century/Auto Center
• $3.95 – Shell (Loveridge Rd/E. Leland)
• $3.95 – Chevron (California Ave/Carlon)

Gas Prices provided by Gas Buddy at roughly 6:00 am

From the AAA Press Release:

Today’s national average price of gas is $3.555 per gallon, which is the highest daily average since September 11, 2013. Despite recent increases, the monthly average of $3.507 per gallon was the least expensive for March since 2010.

Gas prices averaged $3.507 per gallon in March, which was 17 cents per gallon higher than the monthly average in February. Despite the increase, this was the least expensive monthly average for March since 2010. March prices averaged $3.695 per gallon in 2013, $3.829 per gallon in 2012, $3.533 per gallon in 2011 and $2.778 per gallon in 2010.

Average gas prices have increased 49 out of 52 days for a total of 29 cents per gallon. Prices are up primarily due to seasonal factors such as refinery maintenance, the switchover to summer-blend gasoline and rising demand. The rate of increase has slowed with the national average price of gas up only three cents per gallon total during the previous two weeks.

The national average has remained less expensive than a year ago for 73 consecutive days. Gas prices so far this year have averaged $3.38 per gallon, which is 17 cents per gallon cheaper than in 2013 and 20 cents per gallon less than in 2012 through the same period. Gas prices are less expensive than in recent years primarily because many refineries have increased capacity to take advantage of North American crude oil production. Also, gasoline demand was relatively weak during much of the winter due to strong storms and colder than normal temperatures.

AAA Expects a Springtime Peak for Gas Prices to Arrive in April

AAA has forecast the national average price of gas will peak in April at $3.55-$3.75 per gallon, yet the recent slowdown in price increases suggests the average may not even surpass $3.65 per gallon. AAA expects that the national average will remain less expensive than last year’s peak of $3.79 per gallon.

Gas prices have increased in April three out of the previous five years for an average of three cents per gallon.

Drivers in 48 States Paying Higher Gas Prices than a Month Ago

Drivers in every state, except Ohio and Pennsylvania, are paying higher gas prices than a month ago. The largest price increases during the previous month include: Oregon (25 cents), Washington (24 cents), Florida (21 cents), Kentucky (19 cents) and California (15 cents).

The five states with the highest average prices today include: Hawaii ($4.24), California ($4.00), Alaska ($3.82), New York ($3.77) and Connecticut ($3.77). The five states with the lowest average prices include: Montana ($3.28), South Carolina ($3.28), Louisiana ($3.31), Mississippi ($3.32) and Arkansas ($3.34).

Today’s national average is about eight cents per gallon cheaper than a year ago, which is a significant difference from late February when the national average was about 39 cents per gallon cheaper than the same day in 2013. The gap has narrowed because prices continue to rise, while the national average a year ago had already fallen 15 cents per gallon from its peak high.

Source:
https://newsroom.aaa.com/2014/03/aaa-monthly-gas-price-report-march-2014-trends-and-april-outlook/