California drivers have been hit the hardest by the recent gasoline-price increases, with retail prices up 52 cents in 24 days and likely to top $3 a gallon this week. Here, a customer at a California gas station on Feb. 9. Photo: Getty Images Fuel prices are staging a surprisingly strong winter rally, putting an end to $2-a-gallon gasoline for now. The national average gas price at the pump has climbed for 28 consecutive days to $2.30 a gallon on Monday, according to AAA, and are at a 2½-month high in the futures market. Diesel futures are up 20.1% this year. Driving and home-heating costs are rising even as oil prices languish after dropping more than 50% since June. The selloff had pushed gasoline costs to levels unseen since 2009. Prices usually rise this time of year as many U.S. refineries shut to perform maintenance. Also driving the […]