Pump prices vary widely

Americans are now paying an average of $3.79 for a gallon of regular gas, according to a survey by AAA and the Oil Price Information Service. Diesel, used to transport a wide range of goods, now costs $4.52 a gallon. Those prices are likely to keep rising, following crude's upward track.

In Raleigh Monday, the price of a gallon of regular varied by more than a dime. Near Gorman Street, drivers were paying $3.72. In North Raleigh, one station was charging $3.89.

Drivers elsewhere are paying considerably more than the average. Gas pump prices in parts of California have been stuck above $4 a gallon for weeks now, although the statewide average is down to $3.96. Prices in Alaska and Connecticut are averaging just above $4 a gallon.

A report released Sunday showed retail prices topped an average $4 a gallon for the first time in two metropolitan areas: Chicago and New York's Long Island. The Lundberg Survey of 7,000 stations nationwide found the cheapest city to be Tucson, Ariz., where a gallon of regular sold for $3.48 on average.

Pump prices may still have further to go, pressured by rising oil costs and soaring global demand.

"We're looking at $4 a gallon (nationwide) once we get past Memorial Day and into June, given the oil prices we're seeing today," said Geoff Sundstrom, fuel price analyst at AAA.