Gas prices in California are starting to show signs of stabilizing, as travelers gear up for summer road trips.

According to the latest report from the American Automobile Association Northern California, out of the 25 metro areas in the state where gas prices are tracked, all but three saw decreases in the average gas prices compared to last month.

Despite the decreases, California has the third highest average gas prices in the country, with only Hawaii and Alaska recording higher averages. However, the state’s high prices are not correlated to the ongoing spill in the in the Gulf of Mexico, AAA is reporting.

“The leaking oil in the Gulf is coming from an exploratory well operation, meaning the oil itself is not immediately being counted on in the markets, so it has not impacted the price at the pump,” said AAA Northern California spokesperson Matt Skryja. “Economic concerns, particularly in Europe, along with unemployment data, low demand, and high oil reserves are helping to keep the prices low.”

California’s average gas price for a gallon of regular unleaded is $3.08, down seven cents from May, but is still about 17 cents higher that the average was last year.

For the Modesto metro area, the average gas price is $3.04, down eight cents from the month before and up 19 cents from June 2009.

To contact Sabra Stafford, e-mail sstafford@turlockjournal.com or call 634-9141 ext. 2002.