Average retail gasoline prices in Modesto have risen 1.6 cents per gallon in the past week, averaging $2.42/gallon Sunday, according to GasBuddy’s daily survey of 201 gas outlets in Modesto. This compares with the national average that has fallen 1.6 cents per gallon in the last week to $1.99/gallon, according to gasoline price website GasBuddy.com.

Areas nearby Modesto and their current gas price climate include

Stockton - $2.47/gallon, up 2.0 cents per gallon from last week’s $2.45; Oakland - $2.64/gallon, up 3.3 cents per gallon from last week’s $2.61; San Jose - $2.65, up 4.3 cents per gallon from last week’s $2.61/gallon.

Including the change in gas prices in Modesto during the past week, prices Sunday were 14.4 cents per gallon lower than the same day one year ago and are 11.1 cents per gallon lower than a month ago. The national average has decreased 8.4 cents per gallon during the last month and stands 39.4 cents per gallon lower than this day one year ago.

“With the national average price of gas slipping below $2 on Saturday, the holiday season continues to reward most consumers at the pump, but the Grinch turned up in California replacing price declines with price spikes,” said Gregg Laskoski, a senior petroleum analyst with GasBuddy. “California’s hikes tie directly to issues at two refineries with combined capacity exceeding 400,000 barrels per day. Consequently, California’s average price has climbed by 8 cents per gallon while the rest of the country for the most part sees declines.”

GasBuddy is the premiere source for real-time local gas prices. Founded in 2000, GasBuddy.com developed as an initiative to provide consumers access to local, current gas prices. Through the GasBuddy.com website and the free GasBuddy mobile app, users can find and share gas prices with fellow drivers, saving big money at the pump.