(LOS ANGELES, May 13, 2003) — The average price for a gallon of regular gasoline in Southern California has dropped 23.2 cents or 11 percent in the past month, 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 $1.896, down from $2.128 on April 15, but still 28.6 cents higher than a year ago. The lowest average price in the state is Fresno, where drivers can pump regular self-serve unleaded gasoline for $1.74. San Francisco Bay-area motorists now pay an average of $1.96, down from $2.14 in April. Since hitting a record high of $2.18 per gallon on March 21, California's average has fallen 27.5 cents, or 13 percent, to $1.905 per gallon for regular unleaded.
Nationally, prices are down about 10 cents since the April AAA survey, and are now averaging $1.497 per gallon. Georgia continues to have the lowest state average at $1.307, down 10.4 cents from last month.
"Crude oil prices have remained in the $25–$28 per barrel range, and that is the key factor for the current gasoline price decrease," said Auto Club spokesperson Carol Thorp. "As long as oil prices stay in the same range and California gasoline inventories continue to rise, summertime motorists should benefit from lower prices."
While prices are falling, the Southern California average is still more than 28 cents higher than year ago. 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 | Unl | Pre |
| Imperial County | ||
| EL CENTRO | 2.065 | 2.306 |
| Inyo County | ||
| BISHOP | 2.002 | 2.124 |
| Kern County | ||
| BAKERSFIELD | 1.854 | 2.036 |
| RIDGECREST | 1.979 | 2.101 |
| Los Angeles County | ||
| ALHAMBRA | 1.893 | 2.019 |
| ARCADIA | 1.899 | 2.172 |
| BURBANK | 1.874 | 2.139 |
| CULVER CITY | 1.951 | 2.159 |
| GLENDALE | 1.887 | 2.112 |
| GLENDORA | 1.898 | 2.099 |
| INGLEWOOD | 1.870 | 2.072 |
| LANCASTER | 1.825 | 1.799 |
| LONG BEACH | 1.905 | 2.083 |
| LOS ANGELES | 1.908 | 2.116 |
| MANHATTAN BEACH | 1.973 | 2.149 |
| MONTEBELLO | 1.907 | 2.137 |
| SANTA CLARITA | 1.879 | 2.001 |
| SANTA MONICA | 1.940 | 2.172 |
| VAN NUYS | 1.852 | 2.007 |
| WHITTIER | 1.907 | 2.155 |
| WOODLAND HILLS | 1.880 | 2.073 |
| Orange County | ||
| ANAHEIM | 1.876 | 2.086 |
| FULLERTON | 1.886 | 2.089 |
| HUNTINGTON BEACH | 1.897 | 2.109 |
| LA HABRA | 1.886 | 2.069 |
| LAGUNA BEACH | 1.931 | 2.121 |
| NEWPORT BEACH | 1.954 | 2.154 |
| SAN CLEMENTE | 1.950 | 2.212 |
| TUSTIN | 1.888 | 2.069 |
| Riverside County | ||
| BLYTHE | 2.083 | 2.205 |
| HEMET | 1.821 | 2.017 |
| PALM SPRINGS | 1.997 | 2.199 |
| RIVERSIDE | 1.871 | 2.027 |
| San Bernardino County | ||
| REDLANDS | 1.887 | 2.099 |
| SAN BERNARDINO | 1.908 | 2.113 |
| VICTORVILLE | 1.843 | 1.965 |
| San Diego County | ||
| CHULA VISTA | 1.866 | 2.134 |
| DEL MAR | 1.884 | 2.119 |
| ESCONDIDO | 1.822 | 2.040 |
| OCEANSIDE | 1.897 | 2.149 |
| SAN DIEGO | 1.901 | 2.122 |
| San Luis Obispo County | ||
| SAN LUIS OBISPO | 1.921 | 2.119 |
| Santa Barbara County | ||
| LOMPOC | 2.005 | 2.219 |
| SANTA BARBARA | 1.977 | 2.226 |
| SANTA MARIA | 1.966 | 2.119 |
| Tulare County | ||
| PORTERVILLE | 1.882 | 2.039 |
| VISALIA | 1.860 | 1.959 |
| Ventura County | ||
| VENTURA | 1.896 | 2.109 |
| So. Calif. Avg. | 1.896 | 2.102 |
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.
###