(LOS ANGELES, Apr. 15, 2003) — While Southern California average gas prices have fallen a few cents from their record highs of two weeks ago, they are still higher than the March average, 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 $2.128, up 4.3 cents from the March average, but down about four cents from record highs set in late March. The lowest average price in the region can be found in Porterville, where drivers can pump regular self-serve unleaded gasoline for $2.012. San Francisco Bay–area motorists now pay an average of $2.140, equal to the March price. Since hitting a record high of $2.18 per gallon on March 21, California's average has fallen 6 cents to $2.12 per gallon for regular, unleaded. A similar, slow decline beginning in late March and early April has occurred in nearly all Southern Californian cities.
Nationally, prices are down 12 cents since the March AAA survey, and are now averaging $1.595 per gallon. Georgia continues the lowest state average at $1.411 down 11.8 cents from last month.
"While average city prices have begun to drop moderately in the region, they are still all above the $2 per gallon mark," said Auto Club spokesperson Carol Thorp. "However, supplies have been increasing and crude wholesale prices have dropped since last month. These indicators tell us that retail prices should continue to decline in the short term."
Consumers should continue 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:
| County and City | Unleaded | Premium |
| Imperial County | ||
| EL CENTRO | 2.234 | 2.449 |
| Inyo County | ||
| BISHOP | 2.137 | 2.296 |
| Kern County | ||
| BAKERSFIELD | 2.065 | 2.218 |
| RIDGECREST | 2.089 | 2.243 |
| Los Angeles County | ||
| ALHAMBRA | 2.082 | 2.239 |
| ARCADIA | 2.149 | 2.314 |
| BURBANK | 2.112 | 2.299 |
| CULVER CITY | 2.160 | 2.344 |
| GLENDALE | 2.097 | 2.283 |
| GLENDORA | 2.134 | 2.364 |
| INGLEWOOD | 2.106 | 2.296 |
| LANCASTER | 2.048 | 2.170 |
| LONG BEACH | 2.119 | 2.299 |
| LOS ANGELES | 2.132 | 2.330 |
| MANHATTAN BEACH | 2.156 | 2.279 |
| MONTEBELLO | 2.107 | 2.229 |
| SANTA CLARITA | 2.117 | 2.239 |
| SANTA MONICA | 2.142 | 2.459 |
| VAN NUYS | 2.099 | 2.333 |
| WHITTIER | 2.102 | 2.319 |
| WOODLAND HILLS | 2.124 | 2.309 |
| Orange County | ||
| ANAHEIM | 2.114 | 2.307 |
| FULLERTON | 2.106 | 2.259 |
| HUNTINGTON BEACH | 2.129 | 2.259 |
| LA HABRA | 2.069 | 2.259 |
| LAGUNA BEACH | 2.163 | 2.385 |
| NEWPORT BEACH | 2.192 | 2.396 |
| SAN CLEMENTE | 2.246 | 2.449 |
| TUSTIN | 2.154 | 2.339 |
| Riverside County | ||
| BLYTHE | 2.186 | 2.319 |
| HEMET | 2.105 | 2.299 |
| PALM SPRINGS | 2.190 | 2.414 |
| RIVERSIDE | 2.123 | 2.329 |
| San Bernardino County | ||
| REDLANDS | 2.102 | 2.219 |
| SAN BERNARDINO | 2.142 | 2.346 |
| VICTORVILLE | 2.108 | 2.279 |
| San Diego County | ||
| CHULA VISTA | 2.140 | 2.368 |
| DEL MAR | 2.171 | 2.359 |
| ESCONDIDO | 2.104 | 2.317 |
| OCEANSIDE | 2.164 | 2.426 |
| SAN DIEGO | 2.168 | 2.388 |
| San Luis Obispo County | ||
| SAN LUIS OBISPO | 2.092 | 2.306 |
| Santa Barbara County | ||
| LOMPOC | 2.172 | 2.294 |
| SANTA BARBARA | 2.191 | 2.366 |
| SANTA MARIA | 2.113 | 2.199 |
| Tulare County | ||
| PORTERVILLE | 2.012 | 2.219 |
| VISALIA | 2.056 | 2.279 |
| Ventura County | ||
| VENTURA | 2.099 | 2.271 |
| So. Calif. Average | 2.128 | 2.312 |
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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