Drop in gas prices may not last long

Gas prices in California have continued to fall this month, even as national gas prices start to rise, according to AAA.

California drivers have paid about a cent less for gas this week compared with last week.

On Tuesday, a gallon of unleaded regular gas cost an average of $2.93. A month ago, it cost about $3.05, AAA said.

Meanwhile, national average prices, while still below that of California’s average, increased 3 cents this week to $2.26 — the first rise in price in about five weeks.

AAA leaders said the rise in national prices could signal a change for California.

“California prices have been falling for weeks, but with national prices rising this week, that could be a signal that prices could be increasing again soon for the West Coast. AAA expects to see slight increases in prices throughout July, so now is the time to travel,” said AAA Northern California spokesman Mike Blasky. “It’s rare to see California prices fall as prices in other

states spike.”

Blasky attributes the stability in California gas prices to increased refinery production on the West Coast. He said in a news release that refinery production is at its highest levels here since August 2016. A year ago, a gallon of unleaded regular gas was about $2.88, 5 cents less than the current figure. The price of crude oil is about $45 per barrel.

The highest gas prices this week are in South Lake Tahoe — at about $3.25 per gallon — and San Francisco at $ 3.10, but drivers in most Bay Area cities paid under $3 per gallon, according to AAA.