Gas Guide: Union City Gas Prices Continue to Rise

Bay Area motorists are paying an average of 48 cents more per gallon of gasoline now compared to last month, a AAA spokesman said.

Gas prices are averaging $3.96 per gallon for the Bay Area this month, compared to February's $3.48 per gallon average, according to the AAA.

In Union City, the average has already jumped eight cents in the span of a week.

As of March 10, gas prices in Union City averaged $3.96 per gallon of regular unleaded. The cheapest gas station remains Valero, 31890 Alvarado Blvd., where a gallon of regular unleaded gas costs $3.85. (See the price breakdown in the table below.)

According to GasBuddy.com, a website that lists user-submitted prices, gas is still cheaper in Fremont and Hayward, where a gallon of regular unleaded gas is $3.79 at Costco. A Hayward Arco also currently charges $3.79, according to the site.

Across the state, Californians can expect to pay an average of $3.91 per gallon of gas, an increase of 50 cents from Feb. 8, according to the AAA.

"Largely due to unrest in the Middle East, investors have been willing to speculate that prices will increase further and that they will be able to make a profit on the product they are purchasing today," AAA spokesman Matt Skryja said in a news release.

Until this uncertainty is removed from the market, crude oil and gasoline prices will rise in the coming days and weeks, Skryja said.

The national average per gallon of gas is $3.52, which has increased by 40 cents from February's prices, according to AAA.

Prices vary widely by state because of differing gas tax amounts. AAA said the least expensive average price in Northern California is $3.84 in Modesto. Eureka has the highest average price at $4.06.

To keep track of gas prices, AAA also offers text alerts for low gas prices in the area. Consumers can sign up for these alerts at www.aaa.com/gas.

Alvarado 76 (31300 Alvarado Niles Rd., near Union Landing)

Bay City News contributed to this report.