Gas Prices Fluctuate Across the Country

The U.S. average retail price of regular grade gas increased 3.7 cents to just under 3.97 per gallon as of Friday, the smallest increase since early January, said Trilby Lundberg of the Lundberg Survey, which monitors prices at 2,500 retailers.

Although the national average of gas prices increased, other areas saw significant declines.

"There's been great variety in what was going on around the country with some sizable price hikes and several declines, especially in the Midwest and West," Lundberg said Monday.

The cost of gasoline in Gilroy has continued to rise over several months. In December, Gilroyans were paying between $3.38 and 3.65 a gallon, compared to a range of

As of April 9, Gilroyans are paying between $4.01 and 4.37 a gallon, according to GasBuddy.com.

In contrast, the Los Angeles and Chicago markets both experienced price decreases and those markets tend to be among the highest in the country.

The average price of gasoline in the greater Los Angeles area dropped seven cents to 4.27 per gallon of self-serve regular over the past two weeks, according to a national survey of gas prices, while Chicago saw its prices for regular gas drop 11 cents in the past two weeks to 4.45 per gallon - the highest price in the nation, Lundberg said.

"It may or may not portend a drop for the total gas market in the United States," she said. "If crude oil prices slip or do not rise, then this is it for the national price hike."

To find the best gas deals in the Gilroy area, go to this interactive map that shows the best current deals for gas nearby.

The best price Monday was $3.86 a gallon at City Gilroy Gas Station, located at 700 1st St.