How Are You Dealing With High Gas Prices?

Gas prices have jumped an average of 51 cents over the last month in the Bay Area, AAA officials said, highlighing a fact of life many in Suisun have been noticing for the last few months: Gas prices are digging deeper into residents' wallets.

Locally, regular unleaded is $4.35 per gallon at the Suisun 7-Eleven and $4.26 At the Bonfare Market on Petersen Road.

The increase in Bay Area gas prices outpaces the jump in average prices nationwide; AAA officials said that across the country, gas prices rose by 30 cents, to $3.81 per gallon, from February to March.

The region's average gas price is slightly higher than the state's, which is $4.36 per gallon.

How are you dealing with skyrocketing gas prices? Tell us in the comments.

AAA spokesman Matt Skryja said increased buying activity by investors in oil and gas futures and political tensions with Iran have pushed prices upward over the past month. He noted, however, that prices appear to have flattened on Wednesday as “concerns over a slowing economy in China and easing tensions with Iran helped pull down the price of oil.”

According to the AAA report, San Rafael and San Francisco are among the highest average gas prices for March at $4.43 per gallon of regular unleaded. Vallejo is among the lowest in the region at $4.31, according to AAA.

Skryja said seasonal fluctuations are typical, particularly in April, when summer fuel blends, which make sure that gasoline doesn't vaporize as temperatures rise but require more expensive additives to do so, are introduced. However, drivers don’t normally see a spike in gas prices in March, he said.

The high prices come despite dropping demand for oil -- a U.S. Department of Energy report released last week found that the nation was using 8.36 million barrels a day, the lowest rate since March 2001.

To get the best mileage possible, AAA recommends keeping tires at the proper pressure suggested by the vehicle manufacturer, performing routine maintenance and making sure fluids are clean and belts and hoses are in good repair. The organization also recommends avoiding sudden stops and starts, planning errands and lightening your load also help conserve gasoline.

For more info on local gas prices, see our Traffic & Gas section.

-Bay City News contribtued to this report.