Least expensive gas in Turlock
$2.93 – ARCO, 101 E Glenwood Ave.
$2.93 – Costco, 2955 N Tegner Rd.
$2.94 – ARCO, 2219 Lander Ave.
$2.99 – ARCO, 4700 N. Golden State Blvd.
$2.99 – Quik Stop, 2406 W. Monte Vista Ave.
Source: modestogasprices.com/turlock
Gas prices shot up like fireworks for the Fourth of July holiday, but have fallen slightly since then, according to an AAA Northern California report.A gallon of regular unleaded gasoline currently averages $3.14 across the state, according to the report, six cents higher than a month ago and 24 cents higher than this time last year.That increased price has more to do with Wall Street than Main Street, according to AAA Northern California.“The price at the pump continues to be largely impacted by how investors view oil as an investment opportunity, versus the traditional supply and demand factors,” said AAA Northern California spokesperson Matt Skryja. “The better the economy is doing, the more oil investors buy, because they try to anticipate increased demand. The European debt crisis, and predictions of a higher than average hurricane season, are currently dampening any huge run-up of the price of oil.”A Department of Energy report earlier this month pointed to a large drop in the crude inventory of 5 million barrels – typically an indicator that people are making more money and driving more. But AAA analysts believe investors are worried about sustained demand, keeping oil prices hovering around $75 per barrel.In the Modesto area, the metro area which includes Turlock, a gallon of regular unleaded gasoline costs $3.09, up five cents from last month, according to the AAA Northern California report. The Chico area pays the least in the state for a gallon of unleaded gasoline – $3.03 – while South Lake Tahoe pays the most – $3.35.According to ModestoGasPrices.com/Turlock, the cheapest price for a gallon of unleaded regular gasoline in Turlock is $2.93.The least expensive gasoline in America can be found in Greenfield, SC, according to the AAA Northern California report, at $2.43 per gallon of regular unleaded gasoline. The highest gasoline prices can be found in Wailuku, Hawaii, at $3.78 per gallon of regular unleaded gasoline.The national average price for a gallon of regular unleaded gasoline is $2.71, down a cent from last month. To contact Alex Cantatore, e-mail acantatore@turlockjournal.com or call 634-9141 ext. 2005.
