California drivers are seeing an increase in fuel expenses. The price of a gallon of regular gas rose 41 cents from one month ago. That would amount to about $243 more a year for a car getting average mileage (24.4 miles per gallon) that is driven the average distance (14,489 miles) per year.

Though inflation is running at 3% in California year over year, Bay Area gasoline prices are up 9% and climbing for the foreseeable future. Pain at the pump is more real than you might have imagined.