Average retail gasoline prices in Modesto have risen 10.4 cents per gallon in the past week, averaging $2.45/gallon Sunday, according to GasBuddy’s daily survey of 201 gas outlets in Modesto. This compares with the national average that has increased 4.9 cents per gallon in the last week to $1.98/gallon, according to gasoline price website GasBuddy.com.

Including the change in gas prices in Modesto during the past week, prices as of March 20 were 68.8 cents per gallon lower than the same day one year ago and are 46.9 cents per gallon higher than a month ago. The national average has increased 27.4 cents per gallon during the last month and stands 44.0 cents per gallon lower than this day one year ago.

“With the U.S. average price of gas closing in on the $2 level, a price not seen since late December, it reflects a real paradox; we see simultaneously both a stark increase – 25 cents per gallon in the past few weeks – and a reminder of how much we’re still saving,” said Gregg Laskoski, senior petroleum analyst with GasBuddy. “Even with the anticipated rise in retail prices to accommodate ‘summer blend’ gasoline regulations, and even with a 54 percent increase in crude oil from $26 to $40 for the benchmark West Texas Intermediate (WTI), the national average price of gas today remains some 45 cents lower than where we were exactly one year ago.”

According to GasBuddy historical data, gasoline prices on March 20 in Modesto have ranged widely over the last five years: $3.14/gallon in 2015, $3.79 in 2014, $3.89 in 2013, $4.28 in 2012 and $3.91/gallon in 2011.

Areas nearby Modesto and their current gas price climate include: Stockton- $2.50/gallon, up 11.6 cents per gallon from last week’s $2.38; Oakland- $2.62, up 9.8 cents per gallon from last week’s $2.52; and San Jose- $2.64, up 9.6 cents per gallon from last week’s $2.55/gallon.

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.