How Do You Feel About These Gas Prices?

As California's average gas prices become the nation's highest, Bay Area motorists will be paying an average of 48 cents more per gallon now compared to last month, a AAA spokesman said March 10.

Gas prices are averaging $3.96 per gallon for the Bay Area in March compared with February's $3.48 per gallon average, according to the American Automobile Association. Californians can expect to pay an average of $3.91 per gallon, an increase of 50 cents from Feb. 8, according to the AAA.

In Rohnert Park, AAA figures show that 87 octane “regular” gas is selling for $3.88 to $4.01 at most stations as of March 13. Prices for premium range from $4.08 to $4.16.

Latest figures show the cheapest gas at the Valero at 175 Southwest Blvd., the Rotten Robbie at 201 Southwest Blvd. and Chevron at 7360 Commerce Blvd. in Cotati. The most expensive, according to AAA's numbers, are the Shell at 1484 E. Cotati in Rohnert Park and the Chevron at 766 E. Cotati.

Rohnert Park Patch asks its readers: Is this affecting your normal transportation routine? Are you parking your car and walking more? Riding your bike more? Carpooling more? Planning your errands more carefully to cut down on driving?

"Largely due to unrest in the Middle East, investors have been willing to speculate that prices will increase further and that they will be able to make a profit on the product they are purchasing today," AAA spokesman Matt Skryja said in a news release.

Until this uncertainty is removed from the market, crude oil and gasoline prices will rise in the coming days and weeks, Skryja wrote.

The national average per gallon of gas is $3.52, which has increased by 40 cents from February's prices, according to the AAA.

As prices rise, so do calls for President Barack Obama to tap into the strategic petroleum reserve, an emergency stockpile of crude oil that the United States uses to protect the country from petroleum supply interruptions, AAA officials said. This reserve is designed as a tool to replenish domestic energy shortages, but AAA officials said that recent price increases have been driven by investor demands, not traditional supply and demand factors.

AAA recommends that consumers shop aggressively to find the lowest price for gas. The organization offers cell phone text alerts for low gas prices in local neighborhoods. Consumers can sign up for these alerts at www.aaa.com/gas. 

Bay City News Service and Novato Patch editor Brent Ainsworth contributed to this report.