Cheapest Gas in Town: Saudi 'Day of Rage' Could Affect Prices

Looking to save a few bucks this week? Why not start with the gas for your vehicle.

The average price of a gallon of self-serve regular gasoline in San Diego County rose today to its highest amount since Aug. 19, 2008, increasing nine-tenths of a cent to $3.964.

Despite the rise in prices, some stations have to be the cheapest. The two stations currently selling the cheapest gas in Santee are listed below. Local prices are according to GasBuddy.com and reflect prices within the last 24 hours.

(Costco membership required):

• Regular- $3.85
• Premium- $4.05

Arco, and :

• Regular- $3.90
• Premium- $4.10

County gas price average: $3.964, +9.5 cents from a week ago

State average: $3.937

National average: $3.542

(Averages according to AAA)

To make matters more interesting, Saudi Arabia, a major player in OPEC and worldwide oil prices, is set to erupt into protest and violent crackdowns in Friday's "Day of Rage." ConsumerAffairs.com sums it up:

"Today may actually be a critical day for the future of energy prices. Protestors in Saudi Arabia are staging a so-called "Day of Rage." How that turns out could send oil prices tumbling for rising even faster."

"There are no average prices in major Southern California cities under $3.90 a gallon now,'' said Jeffrey Spring of the Automobile Club of Southern California. "However, despite Middle East turmoil, crude oil inventories are at very high levels in the U.S.''

The 36th increase in 38 days pushed the average price 9.5 cents higher than a week ago, 53.9 cents above what it was one month ago and 88.1 cents greater than it was one year ago, according to figures from the AAA and Oil Price Information Service.

City News Service contributed to this report.