THIS CHEVRON station at Magnolia and Central in Garden Grove is advertising prices higher than the county average (OC Tribune photo).

A funny thing happened on the way to the gas pump this week. A gallon of regular gasoline is cheaper than it was a month ago.

According to the American Automobile Association, the average price of a gallon of regular in Orange County is now $4.486, compared to $5.404 one month ago. It’s still a bit lower than the year-ago average of $4.651.

And it’s a lot lower than on October 5 when the highest-ever recorded average price in Orange County was $6.459 for regular unleaded.

Of course, what you pay for fuel depends in part on where you shop for it. According to GasBuddy.com, here are two places in each of our city’s for the lowest prices for a gallon of regular as of Tuesday, as reported to them.

Garden Grove: Costco at Garden Grove Boulevard and Taft Street: $3.79; Arco at 10602 Westminster Ave.: $3.99.

Huntington Beach: G&M at 15971 Goldenwest St.: $3.99. Chevron at 19472 Beach Blvd.: $3.99.

Stanton: G&M at 7470 Cerritos Ave.; $3.89. Arco at 11460 Beach Blvd.: $3.99.

Westminster: Excalibur Fuels at 8482 Westminster Blvd.: $3.99. 7-11, 13982 Bolsa Chica Rd.: $3.99.

What makes gas prices at the pump go up and down? There are many factors. Most service stations are privately-owned and the prices they charge are based on the cost of fuel provided to them, local taxes, availability of fuel, weather, demand and other forces.