(LOS ANGELES, Dec. 30, 2010) – Heading into the new year, Southern California gas prices are at their highest December levels of all time – and higher than at any point since October 2008 – after continuing to rise all week, according to the Automobile Club of Southern California’s Weekend Gas Watch.
The average price of self-serve regular gasoline in the Los Angeles-Long Beach area is $3.308 per gallon, which is 3.9 cents more than last week, 18 cents higher than last month, and 34 cents higher than last year. In San Diego, the price is $3.332, 4.3 cents more than last week, 19 cents above last month, and 38 cents higher than last year. On the Central Coast, the average price is $3.346, up 2.1 cents from last week, 16 cents higher than a month ago, and 32 cents above last year. In the Inland Empire, the average per gallon price is $3.295, which is 3.1 cents higher than last week, 17 cents higher than last month, and 35 cents more than last year.
The average price of self-serve regular gasoline in the Los Angeles-Long Beach area is $3.308 per gallon, which is 3.9 cents more than last week, 18 cents higher than last month, and 34 cents higher than last year. In San Diego, the price is $3.332, 4.3 cents more than last week, 19 cents above last month, and 38 cents higher than last year. On the Central Coast, the average price is $3.346, up 2.1 cents from last week, 16 cents higher than a month ago, and 32 cents above last year. In the Inland Empire, the average per gallon price is $3.295, which is 3.1 cents higher than last week, 17 cents higher than last month, and 35 cents more than last year.
“High crude oil prices continue to drive fuel prices to new heights, after a year that saw remarkably stable averages between $2.90 and $3.10 for most of 2010,” said Auto Club spokesperson Jeffrey Spring. “Typically there is at least a 10- to 20-cent gap between local areas with the lowest and highest gas prices, but right now that gap is just a nickel, so holiday motorists throughout the Southland are paying similar prices at the pump.”
The Weekend Gas Watch monitors the average price of gasoline. As of 12 p.m. on Dec. 30, averages are:
Area | Regular | One-week change | Record Price |
Los Angeles – Long Beach | $3.308 | +3.9 cents | $4.626 (6/21/08) |
Orange County | $3.306 | +3.4 cents | $4.598 (6/19/08) |
San Diego | $3.332 | +4.3 cents | $4.630 (6/19/08) |
Santa Barbara – Santa Maria – Lompoc | $3.346 | +2.1 cents | $4.709 (6/21/08) |
Riverside – San Bernardino | $3.295 | +3.1 cents | $4.614 (6/22/08) |
Bakersfield | $3.345 | +3.5 cents | $4.591 (6/24/08) |
Ventura | $3.311 | +2.5 cents | $4.625 (6/18/08) |