Bay Area Gas Prices on the Rise

Gas prices are climbing in the Bay Area and the state, bringing California's average rate of $3.14 to the nation's third most expensive state to buy gas, according to a report released this week from AAA Northern California.

Northern California gas prices are slightly higher than the state's average at $3.17, up six cents from last month. And Bay Area drivers can expect to pay even more -- $3.23, a rise of five cents from last month, the report stated.

In Belmont, gas prices at the city's six stations all hover around the region's average. At the at 699 Ralston Ave. at Old County Road, a gallon of gas was $3.23 on Thursday. Up the street, at the at 995 Ralston Ave. at Sixth Avenue, the gas price on Thursday was $3.27 per gallon, according to SanFranGasPrices.com.

Compare that to the national average, which is reportedly $2.86 per gallon. That, though cheaper than where Belmont residents buy gas, is still an increase from last month as well. It's also more than the $2.66 per gallon national average at this time last year.

But Belmont residents still don't pay as much as those who live in Wailuku, Hawaii. Drivers there spend $3.92 on a gallon of gas, which takes the title of the most expensive average price in the U.S.

According to the AAA report, seasonal refinery maintenance coupled with the high price of crude oil are two major factors in the gas price increase.