Rancho Bernardo Chevron. Oil follows avocados out of country.

In the last month, gas prices have unexpectedly risen in San Diego County, up to 75 cents a gallon. Ten local stations hit $4.00 a gallon on January 30, with the Chevron station at 16998 West Bernardo Drive in Rancho Bernardo posting the highest, at $4.19 a gallon.

The reason for the current rise, the highest since July 2015, is the same reason we pay top dollar for local avocados grown in Fallbrook — others will pay more. In the case of oil, other countries.

In late 2015, Congress lifted the ban on exporting of American crude. “Oil is finding a home overseas,” reports CNN Money’s Matt Egan.

Egan reports that in 2017, 26.2% of America’s crude was imported by China, Britain, and the Netherlands. Forecasters even believe the U.S. could soon topple Russia and Saudi Arabia as the world's largest oil producer.

Exports, along with a large reduction in surpluses, are the reason that San Diegans are now paying an average $3.38 a gallon (regular, cash price) as of January 30.

According to gasbuddy.com, as of January 30, the Noil station in Otay Mesa is the only station in the county that remains under $3.00 a gallon, at $2.97. Oceanside’s two Mohsen’s and four G&M stations are the county's next six lowest, just a few pennies above $3.00.