Gas Prices Stabilize... But Not For Long

Enjoy it while it lasts.

Gasoline prices have hit a plateau in recent days after rising almost every week so far this year.

Officials at the California State Automobile Association say they expect the relatively stable pump prices to last for another couple weeks.

However, when the traditional summer driving season launches on Memorial Day weekend, you can expect gas prices to start rising again.

Triple A reported today the average price for a gallon of unleaded regular nationwide is $3.95, almost two cents less than last week. However, it's still 16 cents higher than a month ago.

In California, the average price for a gallon of regular unleaded is $4.26, the same as last week but 9 cents more than last month.

In the Bay Area, the average price is $4.32, about the same as last week. However, that's 10 cents more than a month ago.

Castro Valley continues to have some of the least expensive gas in the East Bay. The prices on gasprices.mapquest.com fluctuate between $4.19 and $4.27 per gallon in that town.

Livermore continues to have some of the higher prices, ranging from $4.22 to $4.41 a gallon.

Matt Skryja, a spokesman for CSAA, said the gas price stablization is mainly due to the drop in oil prices late last week. He noted those prices are already starting to creep back up.

He said gas prices usually rise when the summer driving season starts on Memorial Day weekend. He said historically prices continue to go up during the summer with spikes around the July 4th and Labor Day holidays.