Where to Find the Cheapest Gas in San Mateo

Average gas prices in the Bay Area have skyrocketed in the past month, jumping by 51 cents to $4.41 per gallon, according to a report released this week by AAA.

The increase in local gas prices outpaces the jump in average prices nationwide; AAA officials said that across the country, gas prices rose by 30 cents, to $3.81 per gallon, from February to March.

The region's average gas price is slightly higher than the state's, which is $4.36 per gallon.

AAA officials, who monitor the prices as a service to consumers, say increased buying activity by investors in oil and gas futures and political tensions with Iran have pushed prices upward.

San Francisco is among the cities with the highest average prices in the Bay Area at $4.43 per gallon, while Vallejo is among the lowest in the region at $4.31, according to AAA.

The high prices come despite dropping demand for oil -- a U.S. Department of Energy report released last week found that the nation was using 8.36 million barrels a day, the lowest rate since March 2001.

According to San Mateo Patch's Traffic & Gas map, gas is cheapest in the city at:

• $4.36 - Bob Reeds Service; 1641 Palm Ave.
• $4.38 - 76; 402 S. Delaware St.
• $4.39 - Third Avenue Shell; 611 E. Third Ave.

Know a cheaper place to buy gas in San Mateo? Add it to the map! Here's how:

How to add a point on the map:

1. In the right-hand corner of the map, click the "Add" button.
2. Type in a name and the intersection you would like to add.
3. Press submit and the pin should appear.

Bay City News contributed to this article.

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