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Auto Club: As Russia Invades Ukraine, Gas Prices Rise Again

Oil barrels by Ian Burt
Photo by Ian Burt  https://www.flickr.com/photos/oddsock/ creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/  

New daily gas price records continue to be set throughout Southern California as Russian forces began attacking Ukraine, according to the Auto Club’s Weekend Gas Watch. The average price for self-serve regular gasoline in California is $4.73, which is a new record for the state and five cents higher than last week. The average national price is $3.54, which is two cents higher than a week ago.

The average price of self-serve regular gasoline in the Los Angeles-Long Beach area is $4.82 per gallon, which is four cents higher than last week, 15 cents higher than last month, $1.14 higher than last year and a new price record. In San Diego, the average price is $4.78, which is also a new price record and four cents higher than last week, 16 cents higher than last month, and $1.12 higher than last year.

On the Central Coast, the average price is $4.74, which is three cents higher than last week, 12 cents higher than last month, $1.13 higher than last year, and another new record price. In Riverside, the average per-gallon price is $4.73, which is three cents higher than last week, 13 cents higher than last month, $1.13 higher than last year and a new record price. In Bakersfield, the $4.68 average price is five cents more than last Thursday, seven cents higher than last month, $1.18 higher than a year ago today and just a fraction below the record price set on Monday.

“The escalation of tensions into all-out war has pushed up Brent Crude prices above $100 a barrel and if that trend continues, we could see gas prices start going up more quickly,” said Auto Club spokesman Doug Shupe. “Also, this week’s US Energy Information report indicates that West Coast gasoline supplies are at their lowest levels of 2022, which could also add to upward price pressure.”

The Auto Club reminds drivers of the following tips to save money on gas:

  • If you use premium unleaded fuel, make sure it is required for your vehicle, not just recommended. The Auto Club’s Automotive Research Center found that vehicles with recommended premium fuel performed safely with regular unleaded gasoline.
  • Make sure your tires are properly maintained and inflated to the correct level.
  • Maintain your car according to the manufacturer’s recommendations. Regular service will ensure optimum fuel economy.
  • Avoid “jackrabbit” starts and hard accelerations. These actions greatly increase fuel consumption.
  • Slow down and drive the speed limit. Higher speeds result in more aerodynamic drag.
  • Use cruise control on the highway to help maintain a constant speed and save fuel. However, never use cruise control on slippery roads because you could lose control of the vehicle.
  • Minimize your use of air conditioning.
  • Avoid extended idling to warm up the engine, even in colder temperatures. It’s unnecessary and wastes fuel.
  • Remove unnecessary and bulky items from your car.
  • Minimize your use of roof racks and remove special carriers when not in use.
  • Download the AAA App to find the cheapest gas prices near you.

The Weekend Gas Watch monitors the average price of gasoline. As of 9 a.m. on Feb. 24, averages are:

Feb 24 2022

 

Media Contacts

Doug Shupe
LA-based media contact
(512) 659-1632
shupe.doug@aaa-calif.com
Marie Montgomery
(714) 420-0477 (cell)
Montgomery.Marie@aaa-calif.com
CST 1016202-80 Copyright © Automobile Club of Southern California. All Rights Reserved.
The Automobile Club of Southern California is a member club affiliated with the American Automobile Association (AAA) national federation and serves members in the following California counties: Inyo, Imperial, Kern, Los Angeles, Mono, Orange, Riverside, San Bernardino, San Diego, San Luis Obispo, Santa Barbara, Tulare, and Ventura.