Not a Bad Time to Fill Up Your Gas Tank

Memorial Day drivers got an unexpected holiday gift.

Gasoline prices decreased a few more cents on a weekend where motorists usually see them go up.

In the East Bay, the average price for a gallon of unleaded regular gasoline is now $4.03. That's eight cents less than a week ago and 22 cents cheaper than a month ago, according to a California State Automobile Association website.

The same is true across much of California. The average price statewide for regular unleaded is now $4.04 a gallon. That's also eight cents less than last week and 21 cents cheaper than last month.

Nationwide, the average price is now $3.79. It's dropped a nickel in the past week and 14 cents during the past month.

Almost every East Bay community has at least one station selling gas for a few pennies under $4 a gallon.

In the San Ramon Valley, MapQuest shows a range of prices from $4.09 to $4.15. The website gasbuddy.com, however, lists several stations selling gas for under $4 a gallon, including the Arco on Alcosta Boulevard at $3.89 a gallon.

Motorists in Castro Valley continue to find relatively cheap gasoline. The price range there is between $3.97 and $4.03. The Arco station on Castro Valley Boulevard is listed at $3.91 on the GasBuddy site.

Statewide, the cheapest gas on the GasBuddy site is a U Save in Fresno at $3.71 a gallon. The most expensive listed is a Mobil station in the West Covina region of Los Angeles at $4.91 a gallon.

In the Bay Area, Vallejo has the best bargains, with several stations selling gas for under $3.90 a gallon.