Think Gas is Expensive? Prices Will Continue to Rise

If you don't like gasoline prices right now, just wait until July 4.

The price of a gallon of unleaded regular gasoline went up about a nickel in most places in the East Bay this past week.

Don't expect that trend to change anytime soon.

Cynthia Harris, a spokeswoman for the California State Automobile Association, said most analysts expect gasoline prices to continue to rise through the summer.

She said the unrest in the Middle East is one factor. Libya, for example, has reduced oil production by 90 percent, limiting the supply of gasoline.

In addition, Japan will need more fossil fuels because of the shutdown of its nuclear power plants.

"I think you'll see a lot of families in California discouraged from taking three road trips this summer," said Harris.

Financial pain was being felt at the Chevron station at Ygnacio Valley Road and San Carlos Drive in Walnut Creek.

The price for regular unleaded had risen from $3.99 to $4.05 a gallon in less than a week.

Ryan Hoff, an Orinda resident, had stopped there to fill up while on his way to his outside sales job in Concord.

He said there are 40 sales representatives at his office who have gas cards and the rising price is eating into the company's coffers.

The firm recently lowered the monthly ceiling on gas allowance from $500 to $300. That means some reps are paying for gas out of their own pockets.

"It really has put a damper on us," Hoff said.

At another pump, Clarence Rollins was filling up after driving from Fremont to his job in Walnut Creek.

He said he usually checks Internet sites for the cheapest gas, but pulled into this Chevron because he suddenly realized his gas gauge was pointing toward empty.

The price of a gallon of regular unleaded in California has risen to $3.97, an increase of 6 cents from a week ago.

A check of prices on gasbuddy.com and gasprices.mapquest.com shows prices, even at some of the cheapest stations, have risen slightly throughout the East Bay.

One of the cheapest is the Abe gas station at Mission and Tamarack in Union City. It is selling regular unleaded for $3.83 a gallon.

An Arco station at Boone Court and San Ramon Valley Boulevard in Danville is listed at $3.84 a gallon.

A Quik Stop at Grove Way Cape Eden Place in Castro Valley shows up at $3.85 a gallon.

Castro Valley continues to have some of the lower prices along the Interstate 580-680 corridor. Ten stations there list prices between $3.85 and $3.95 for a gallon of regular unleaded.

Most stations in the region fall between $3.99 and $4.06 a gallon.

However, a few are higher than that, most of them Chevron stations.

A Chevron at First and South N streets in Livermore has gas at $4.09 a gallon. Across town, a gallon at Livermore Gas on Catalina is listed at $4.15.

That price is topped by the Marina Food Mart on Orchard Avenue in San Leandro: regular unleaded $4.19 a gallon.

In San Ramon, the Chevron at Camino Ramon and Fosteria is listed at $4.09 a gallon.  So is the Chevron at North Main Street and Parkside Drive in Walnut Creek.