SAN DIEGO -- With a gallon of gas selling for more than $3 in Malibu, can prices at San Diego stations be far behind?

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Where's the Cheapest Gas Near You?

Fuel Tracker data courtesy of the Utility Consumers' Action Network

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Just off Interstate 5 in Bay Park, one station was charging a pricey $2.57 a gallon for regular unleaded.

"The oil companies understand that consumers have to be brought up slowly, and that's exactly what's happening to us," said Michael Shames, of the Utility Consumers' Action Network, "and they're waiting, and they're doing it slowly enough that there isn't too much screaming -- so that the political backlash doesn't occur."

All too often, spiraling gas prices are shrugged off by consumers as signs of the times in an economy where what goes up never seems to come down. All the while, though, consumers like Joe Hayes think they have a good idea where the rubber meets the road in the marketplace for petroleum.

"These guys all work together -- Chevron, Shell -- I'm sure they're all part of an organization that works together, and they can care less," said Hayes, looking around at gas stations nearby.

"What people have to do is focus their criticism," said Tim Cohelan, an attorney who has brought a number of antitrust lawsuits against the oil industry. He said he can see evidence of collusion and manipulation in the supply contracts among the retailers and refineries.

"When public officials understand how it works, when lobbyists come by from the oil companies and tell them that bottled water is more expensive than gasoline or whatever, then they'll have a logical way to focus in on it," said Cohelan.

But at what price will motorists finally rebel and start buying hybrids, joining carpools and really trying to reduce how much they drive? Hayes thought he knew.

"I would think, probably, once we hit $4," said Hayes. "I know it won't be long before we hit $3, but when we hit $4 or $5, that's when people are really going to get upset."

Industry analysts said $3 a gallon is a real prospect come summertime.