Gas prices fall by 10 cents
Gas prices fell by at least 10 cents throughout Northern California in the last month, but some areas of the state are starting to see the numbers climb.
Northern California gas prices are averaging $3.71 per gallon for unleaded fuel, down 41 cents from the June 12 survey by AAA.
"The recent drop at the pump was largely driven by lower crude oil prices around the globe. The decline is linked to a slew of concerns about global economic weakness, including worries about sovereign debt in Europe, signs of a slowing economy in China, and bearish economic data in the United States," said Matt Skryja, spokesman for AAA Northern California. "Investors typically pull back on their buying when there's a weaker global economy because demand for crude oil is expected to drop. This puts downward pressure on prices."
Statewide, the average price of gas is $3.70 per gallon, down 40 cents since June, and 8 cents less than California's average price at this time last year, according to the July survey released this week.
Still, California continues to have the third highest average price. Hawaii is first and Alaska is the second, AAA reported.
The national average is $3.38, down by 16 cents since June, and 25 cents less than the national price last year.
The least expensive average price in Northern California was found in the Marysville survey area, in which the price was listed at $3.54 per gallon, AAA reported. That was down 50 cents from the last survey — the sharpest decline in the state.
The Chico area price was reported at $3.63 per gallon, down 47 cents, while Redding's price was $3.74, down 34 cents.
The Sacramento area saw a 40 cent decline to $3.60 per gallon, and the Bay Area came in at $3.88, down 41 cents.
Eureka continues to have the highest price in the state at $3.98 per gallon, which also tops the price in all of the 48 lower states, AAA reported.
The least expensive gas in the country, $2.98 per gallon, is reported out of Greenville-Spartanburg-Anderson in the South Carolina.
Wailuku, Hawaii, has the highest average price in the nation, at $4.41 per gallon, AAA reported.�
