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A gas war may be brewing in South Attleboro.

With gasoline prices inching toward $3.10 a gallon elsewhere in the area - AAA Southern New England pegged the state's average at $3.08 in its weekly survey Monday - gas at some South Attleboro stations this week could be had for almost a dime less.

Self-serve stations Valero and Hess on Route 1 both were selling regular-grade gas for $2.99 this week. The Hess station raised its price to $3.05 on Thursday, but that's still cheap.

AAA spokesman Arthur Kinsman said a combination of factors might be at work.

"There could be a kind of a little price war going on," Kinsman said. "It could just be a little micro-market. They're all looking at each other. It's a busy area. Who's going to grab the market share?" Low-priced gas at stations concentrated in a particular area is not uncommon, he said.

On Route 18 between Whitman and Bridgewater, there are "a slew of stations" that are "probably at $3 or a couple of pennies under," said Kinsman, a South Shore resident.

"I always know that the cheapest gas is going to be there if I'm in that area."

Locally, Cumberland, R.I., resident Armand Desmarais was filling up at Valero in South Attleboro on Tuesday.

He says paying more at the pumps bothers him.

"The oil companies are making a lot of money. There's no need for it," Desmarais said.

At Hess, another customer said she was from Pawtucket.

"Attleboro basically has the best prices around this area," said Tina, who declined to give her last name.

That Attleboro pumps are cheaper than Rhode Island's isn't just chance.

Kinsman said Rhode Island's gas tax is about 10 cents higher than in Massachusetts. "Our advice is, 'Always shop around for the best price,'" Kinsman said.

Asked if Hess is in a "gas war" with other area stations, corporate spokeswoman Lorrie Hecker offered this answer: "To determine our prices, we look at a variety of factors including local market data."

Valero spokesman Bill Day said he was unfamiliar with the South Attleboro station.

However, prices at Valero stations in general are often lower than some competitors because Valero doesn't spend money putting extra branding additives into its fuel and the company does little marketing and advertising.

"It's a very, very competitive environment," Day said.

MICHAEL GELBWASSER can be reached at 508-236-0439 or at mgelbwasser@thesunchronicle.com.