Gas Prices Keep Falling

In a nontraditional pattern, gasoline prices continue to fall as the summer season inches forward.

During the summer months, the cost of gasoline usually rises along with the temperatures.

That's not the case this year. The cost for a gallon of regular unleaded has declined another nickel or so in the past week and is down more than 20 cents in the past month.

Nationwide, the Lundberg Survey reports that the average cost for a gallon of unleaded regular is at $3.63. That's a decline of 11 cents in the past two weeks.

In California, the average price is $3.82. That's about 8 cents lower than a week ago and 24 cents less than last month.

The typical price in the East Bay is hovering right around $3.82, according to a California State Automobile Association website. That's 7 cents lower than a week ago and 24 cents less than a month ago. A year ago, however, the price was $3.16 a gallon.

Experts say the recent downward march at the fuel pumps will continue, at least for awhile.

In Alameda, according to Gasbuddy.com, prices range from $3.73 at the Valero on Park Street to $3.83 at the Valero on Central Avenue.

Elsewhere in the East Bay, prices vary.

In Walnut Creek, the prices listed on mapquest's gasoline website range from $3.83 to $3.89. The cheapest listed is for the Chevron station on Main Street. The highest is the Chevron station on Mount Diablo Boulevard.

On Monday afternoon, Carlos Ruiz and Armando Garcia were filling up their van. The Pittsburg residents work for WCI/GC Commercial Construction, so they drive a lot.

Ruiz said a year ago, $40 filled up his Nissan truck with change to spare. A month ago, that $40 would get him only three-fourths of a tank. Now, prices have fallen enough that $40 will top off his tank again.

"I didn't want to go to the gas station last month. Now, I don't mind," Ruiz said.

Meanwhile, Livermore is seeing a wide array of prices. On the site gasbuddy.com, the four lowest stations in the East Bay are in that city.

The cheapest is Costco at $3.48 for a gallon of regular unleaded. The Gas & Shop on North Vasco Road is listed at $3.49 as is the Safeway on First Street and the Quik Stop on North Vasco Road.