International oil politics and strong summer demand continue to nudge gas prices upward throughout the region, according to the Automobile Club of Southern California’s Weekend Gas Watch. Today’s retail statewide average rose two cents to $4.30 a gallon for regular unleaded, giving Californians the highest average price since 2012.
The average price of self-serve regular gasoline in the Los Angeles-Long Beach area is $4.33 per gallon, which is three cents higher than last week, nine cents higher than last month, and $1.24 higher than last year. In San Diego, the average price is $4.29, two cents higher than last week, eight cents more than last month, and $1.17 higher than last year.
On the Central Coast, the average price is $4.27, which is one cent higher than last week, seven cents higher than last month, and $1.15 higher than last year. In Riverside, the average per-gallon price is $4.26, which is three cents higher than last week, nine cents higher than last month, and $1.19 higher than last year. In Bakersfield, the $4.23 average price is three cents higher than last week, 12 cents higher than last month, and $1.21 higher than a year ago today.
“International oil producers such as OPEC can’t agree on production levels which causes uncertainty in the markets,” said Auto Club spokesman Jeffrey Spring. “Combined with continued strong summer demand, this ongoing, steady rise in prices has taken us to the highest average price in many areas since October 2012.”
The Auto Club recommends motorists try fuel conservation tactics such as driving conservatively, anticipating road conditions ahead to avoid fast stops and starts and avoiding excessive idling. Auto Club members can also sign up for the Shell Fuel Rewards program to save five cents per gallon for up to 20 gallons per fill-up.
The Weekend Gas Watch monitors the average price of gasoline. As of 9 a.m. on July 8, averages are:
