Gas prices up 2 cents in state, drop nationally

National average price dipped to $4.30 Wednesday and might fall further

Although Californians still are feeling pain at the pump — reaching an alltime high of $5.77 a gallon Wednesday — the national average fell by a cent since Tuesday, signaling that prices could be on their way down in the weeks ahead, according to experts

The average price of unleaded gas in the state increased by two cents Wednesday from $5.75 to $5.77 a gallon and is 30 cents more expensive than it was a week ago, according to the American Automobile Association. The national average price of a gallon of gas hit a peak of $4.33 on Friday before falling a penny, holding through the weekend and dipping to $4.30 Wednesday.

Gas prices have remained relatively stable compared with recent weeks. In San Francisco, the average went up 1 cent to $5.88 Wednesday. Average prices stayed at $5.77 in San Jose, went up from $5.80 to $5.81 in Oakland on Tuesday into Wednesday, $5.72 to $5.75 in Santa Cruz/Watsonville and from $5.89 to $5.88 a gallon in San Rafael.

The national average spiked past the $4 per gallon mark earlier this month and eclipsed the record high of $4.103, which was reached in 2008. Gas prices have swung upward after sanctions on Russian commodities during the ongoing Russian invasion of

Ukraine.

Crude oil prices dropped down to $96 per barrel this week, and the declining price could cause the national average to fall 35 to 55 cents per gallon over the next three to five weeks, according to Patrick De Haan, head of petroleum analysis for GasBuddy, on Twitter.

“The question is: Will oil prices stay at these lows and allow it, or do we get a new rally that stops the relief I'm referring to?” he wrote.

President Joe Biden also urged gas companies to offer relief to Americans in the wake of declining crude oil prices.

“Last time oil was $96 a barrel, gas was $3.62 a gallon. Now it's $4.31,” he said on Twitter on Wednesday. “Oil and gas companies shouldn't pad their profits at the expense of hardworking Americans.”

The Golden State has the highest fuel prices in the country, partially because of higher taxes for environmental regulations and infrastructure. Gov. Gavin Newsom pledged financial relief to try to help people during the rising gas prices, but few details have been released on how much or when state money could go to motorists.

San Jose's east side has some of the lowest gas prices in the region, in addition to other portions of the South Bay and East Bay, according to a map of Bay Area prices from GasBuddy. A gas station called Moe's Stop was offering regular fuel at $5.09 and $5.16 a gallon Wednesday at two places in San Jose.

Meanwhile, gas prices stayed around $5.25 in San Leandro and a station in Oakland's Fruitvale District was offering gas at $4.99 a gallon.

Some of the most expensive prices were in San Francisco and along the Peninsula, with one station charging $5.89 a gallon.

In the wake of high gas prices, AAA has offered some tips to try and save fuel:

• Slow down and go easy on the brake. Speeding wastes fuel, and so do hard braking and acceleration.

• Clear out your trunk. Carrying heavy items reduces fuel mileage.

• Avoid idling — if you can.

• Inflate your tires to the proper air pressure.

• Consolidate trips and drive less. Use the most fuel-efficient car in your household to run errands.