(LOS ANGELES, Jan. 23, 2009) - It wasn't another week of double-digit increases, but gas prices still went up by about a penny a day in many local markets over the last 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 $2.062 per gallon, which is 7.3 cents more than last week, 29 cents higher than last month, and $1.14 under last year. In San Diego, the price is $2.082, which is 4.5 cents more than last week's price, 29 cents above last month, and $1.12 lower than last year. On the Central Coast, the average price is $2.143, up 6.7 cents from last week, 27 cents up from last month, and $1.16 below last year. In the Inland Empire, the average per gallon price is $2.053, which is 6.4 cents over last week, 30 cents more than last month, and $1.13 less than last year.
"Southern California prices do normally rise at this time of year as refineries cut inventory, perform maintenance, and prepare to produce the 'summer blend' of gasoline that is required to improve the state's air quality," said Auto Club spokesperson Jeffrey Spring. "Since their low point nearly six weeks ago, gas price averages have risen by 34 to 38 cents in most local areas."
The Weekend Gas Watch monitors the average price of gasoline as of 2:56 a.m. on Jan. 23.
Area | Regular | One-week change | 2008 Lowest Price | Record Price |
$2.062 | + 7.3 cents | $1.720 (12/16/08) | $4.626 (6/21/08) | |
$2.052 | + 7.1 cents | $1.707 (12/17/08) | $4.598 (6/19/08) | |
$2.082 | + 4.5 cents | $1.707 (12/15/08) | $4.630 (6/19/08) | |
$2.143 | + 6.7 cents | $1.780 (12/16/08) | $4.709 (6/21/08) | |
$2.053 | + 6.4 cents | $1.692 (12/16/08) | $4.614 (6/22/08) | |
$2.154 | + 6.4 cents | $1.785 (12/15/08) | $4.591 (6/24/08) | |
$1.990 | + 5.6 cents | $1.732 (12/19/08) | $4.279 (6/21/08) |