Gas Prices Surge More Than 30 Cents in a Month; Are You Driving Less?

Gas prices in Belmont and eastern Massachusetts continue their upward march, with prices reaching the highest point ever in February and up more than a quarter in the past month.

AAA Southern New England said its survey of prices in Massachusetts on Monday found self-serve, regular unleaded averaging $3.72 per gallon, four cents higher than a week ago and up 31 cents over the past month.

Today, Tuesday, Feb. 19, the average price of a gallon of regular gas in Belmont and greater Boston was $3.77, also up 30 cents from a month ago, according to AAA.

The national average for self-serve unleaded of $3.73 and a year ago at this time the Massachusetts average price was $3.60.

Representative of the cost increase can be seen at the Gulf Station off Lexington Street in Waverley Square where the price was $3.75 on Tuesday, the lowest in town along with the nearby BP station on Trapelo Road. On the high end of the price spectrum is the Mobil station on Concord Avenue across from the Belmont Public Library with $3.99 a gallon.

AAA offers a new gas saving tip each week with its gas price updates. This week, the AAA suggests drivers accelerate smoothly and brake gradually - it’s safer, uses less gas and reduces brake wear.

Tell us: Have you noticed the higher gas prices? If so, how are you reacting? Are you driving less? Tell us in the comments.