Average retail gasoline prices in Modesto have fallen 0.8 cents per gallon in the past week, averaging $2.62/gallon Sunday, according to GasBuddy’s daily survey of 201 gas outlets in Modesto. This compares with the national average that has increased 2.7 cents per gallon in the last week to $2.31/gallon, according to gasoline price website GasBuddy.com.

Including the change in gas prices in Modesto during the past week, prices Sunday were 82.9 cents per gallon lower than the same day one year ago and are 20.4 cents per gallon lower than a month ago. The national average has decreased 3.1 cents per gallon during the last month and stands 88.0 cents per gallon lower than this day one year ago.

“A majority of states saw gasoline prices jumping over the last week thanks to an upward move in oil prices as well as refinery maintenance season getting underway, constricting gasoline output,” said Patrick DeHaan, senior petroleum analyst for GasBuddy.com. “The jump was led by states in the Midwest- areas that GasBuddy had warned last week were ripe for hikes thanks to a confluence of refinery maintenance and outages. North Dakota, Iowa, Minnesota, Nebraska and Oklahoma led with the largest increases, while areas of the West Coast saw continued relief at the pump. Some areas of the country are seeing hikes at the gas pump while others see continued declines.”

DeHaan said he anticipates the lower prices to continue for a while.

“We’re sticking to our previous guidance - $1.98/gallon nationally by Christmas,” DeHaan said.

For a complete listing of current averages and other fuel price data, visit http://media.gasbuddy.com.

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.