Gas Prices Continue to Plummet

 It seemed unlikely just a month ago, but the price of gasoline has dipped under $4 a gallon at some service stations in Concord and around the East Bay.

The average price nationwide is now $3.84 for a gallon of regular unleaded, down 12 cents from a week ago, according to the California State Automobile Association.

In California, the average price has sunk to $4.12 for a gallon of unleaded regular, 10 cents less than a week ago.

In the East Bay, the price for regular unleaded has dropped to $4.11 a gallon, 11 cents cheaper than a week ago.

The Web site gasbuddy.com, lists two places in Concord selling regular unleaded for $3.89 a gallon — Costco on Monument Boulevard and the Bonfare Market on Grant Street. The Concord listings range up to $4.19 a gallon.

Sinking gas prices come as vacationers prepare to head out for the Memorial Day weekend. Triple A officials estimate 4.2 million Californians will travel more than 50 miles this holiday weekend. That's a 0.2 percent increase over last year.

“While concerns over higher gas prices are causing some travelers to opt out of a summer road trip, many are modifying or scaling back in other types of vacation expenditures,” said CSAA Northern California spokesperson Cynthia Harris. “Many people expect to stay with family and friends in order to afford a few days away from home.”