Ready to Pay $4 for a Gallon of Gas?

The average price of a gallon of self-serve regular gasoline in San Diego County is now $3.922, seven-tenths of a cent higher than on Sunday, and 85.5 cents more than a year ago.

The cheapest gallon of gas in Rancho Bernardo can be found for $3.85 at the ARCO at the corner of Bernardo Center Drive and Rancho Bernardo, according to GasBuddy.com.

The county increase is the 32nd in 34 days, and brings the average price up 14.9 cents over last week and 52.7 cents over last month, according to figures from the AAA and Oil Price Information Service. The price is at highest since Aug. 21, 2008.

California has the highest average gas price in the nation at $3.897 per gallon, 1.5 cents more than second-place Hawaii. Prices are typically higher in California due to state taxes and a law mandating a special blend of fuel to reduce emissions.

Analysts blame the crises in the Middle East and Northern Africa for the rising price of imported crude oil, which accounts for two-thirds to three-fourths of the price of a gallon of gasoline, according to Tupper Hull of the Western States Petroleum Association. The association represents oil companies in six western states.

City News Service contributed to this report.