(LOS ANGELES, Mar. 11, 2003) — War jitters and subsequent price speculation by investors have pushed average retail gasoline prices to previously unseen levels throughout Southern California, according to the Automobile Club of Southern California's monthly Fuel Gauge Report.
The Southern California average price for regular self-serve unleaded gasoline is $2.085, up 36 cents from the Feb. 11 average of $1.725. The lowest average price in the region can be found in Alhambra, where drivers can pump regular self-serve unleaded gasoline for $2.011. San Francisco Bay-area motorists now pay an average of $2.140, up 28 cents from last month.
Nationally, the average price for a gallon of regular self-serve gasoline rose 9 cents to $1.702. Georgia has the lowest state average at $1.529, up 4.4 cents from last month.
"California gas prices are the highest in the nation," said Auto Club spokesperson Carol Thorp. "Supplies in the state should increase once refineries have completed their seasonal maintenance this month. Motorists should avoid panic buying of gasoline or the formation of gas lines in the event of a war with Iraq. This could create temporary local shortages when there is no real shortage."
To cushion family budgets, consumers are urged to shop aggressively for the best price on gasoline, look for ways to limit their gasoline consumption, such as carpooling and combining errands and keep their vehicles properly maintained to increase fuel economy, Thorp added.
In Southern California, the averages for regular and premium grades of gasoline are listed below:
| City | Unl | Pre |
| Imperial County | ||
| EL CENTRO | 2.132 | 2.349 |
| Inyo County | ||
| BISHOP | 2.099 | 2.277 |
| Kern County | ||
| BAKERSFIELD | 2.021 | 2.204 |
| RIDGECREST | 2.092 | 2.199 |
| Los Angeles County | ||
| ALHAMBRA | 2.011 | 2.189 |
| ARCADIA | 2.122 | 2.349 |
| 2.051 | 2.188 | |
| CULVER CITY | 2.099 | 2.299 |
| GLENDALE | 2.045 | 2.199 |
| GLENDORA | 2.109 | 2.259 |
| INGLEWOOD | 2.075 | 2.319 |
| LANCASTER | 2.016 | 2.194 |
| LONG BEACH | 2.078 | 2.247 |
| LOS ANGELES | 2.076 | 2.274 |
| MANHATTAN BEACH | 2.079 | 2.201 |
| MONTEBELLO | 2.080 | 2.239 |
| SANTA CLARITA | 2.079 | 2.239 |
| SANTA MONICA | 2.117 | 2.294 |
| VAN NUYS | 2.040 | 2.132 |
| WHITTIER | 2.057 | 2.255 |
| WOODLAND HILLS | 2.088 | 2.319 |
| Orange County | ||
| ANAHEIM | 2.052 | 2.231 |
| FULLERTON | 2.061 | 2.213 |
| HUNTINGTON BEACH | 2.076 | 2.234 |
| LA HABRA | 2.023 | 2.201 |
| LAGUNA BEACH | 2.149 | 2.379 |
| NEWPORT BEACH | 2.144 | 2.322 |
| SAN CLEMENTE | 2.139 | 2.288 |
| Riverside County | ||
| BLYTHE | 2.185 | 2.316 |
| HEMET | 2.047 | 2.224 |
| PALM SPRINGS | 2.129 | 2.379 |
| RIVERSIDE | 2.071 | 2.222 |
| San Bernardino County | ||
| REDLANDS | 2.069 | 2.286 |
| SAN BERNARDINO | 2.080 | 2.289 |
| VICTORVILLE | 2.088 | 2.294 |
| San Diego County | ||
| CHULA VISTA | 2.117 | 2.359 |
| DEL MAR | 2.144 | 2.322 |
| ESCONDIDO | 2.085 | 2.259 |
| OCEANSIDE | 2.123 | 2.299 |
| SAN DIEGO | 2.123 | 2.321 |
| San Luis Obispo County | ||
| SAN LUIS OBISPO | 2.025 | 2.189 |
| Santa Barbara County | ||
| LOMPOC | 2.103 | 2.299 |
| SANTA BARBARA | 2.140 | 2.334 |
| SANTA MARIA | 2.048 | 2.225 |
| Tulare County | ||
| PORTERVILLE | 2.097 | 2.279 |
| VISALIA | 2.078 | 2.284 |
| VENTURA | 2.052 | 2.252 |
| So. Calif. Avg. | 2.085 | 2.266 |
The Auto Club�s Fuel Gauge Report is based on data gathered from monitoring fuel transactions at 2,800 Southern California gas stations. Oil Price Information Service � the nation�s most comprehensive source of petroleum pricing information, provides the data.
The Automobile Club of Southern California, the largest affiliate of the AAA, has been serving members since 1900. Today, the Auto Club�s members benefit by roadside assistance, insurance products and services, travel agency, financial products, automotive pricing, buying and financing programs, automotive testing and analysis, trip planning services, highway and transportation safety programs. Information about these products and services is available on the Auto Club�s Web site at www.aaa-calif.com.
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