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Auto Club: Double-Digit Gas Price Increases Continue Breaking Records

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Photo by US Bureau of Land Management https://www.flickr.com/photos/ mypubliclands/ https://creativecommons.org/licenses/ by/4.0/  

U.S. and California prices skyrocketed over the past week into new record territory because of continued concerns over oil supply, according to the Auto Club’s Weekend Gas Watch. The average price for self-serve regular gasoline in California is $6.40, which is 19 cents higher than last week and a new state record. The average national price is $4.97, which is 25 cents higher than a week ago and also a new U.S. record.

The average price of self-serve regular gasoline in the Los Angeles-Long Beach area is $6.42 per gallon, which is 20 cents higher than last week, 53 cents higher than last month, and $2.17 higher than last year. In San Diego, the average price is $6.33, which is 19 cents higher than last week, 50 cents higher than last month, and $2.11 higher than last year.

On the Central Coast, the average price is $6.32, which is 19 cents higher than last week, 47 cents higher than last month and is $2.12 higher than last year. In Riverside, the average per-gallon price is $6.28, which is 20 cents higher than last week, 33 cents higher than last month and increased $1.94 from a year ago. In Bakersfield, the $6.14 average price is 12 cents more than last Thursday, 34 cents higher than last month and $2.06 higher than a year ago today.

“Analysts are projecting significant increases in oil prices over the next year as Russian oil leaves Western markets,” said Auto Club spokesman Doug Shupe. “Los Angeles wholesale gasoline prices reached another all-time record this morning, so unfortunately the upward price pressure is continuing.”

The Auto Club recommends the following tips to save money on gas:

  • Look into carpooling if you commute a significant distance. Carpooling with one other person cuts commute costs in half, and you can cut your commute costs by two-thirds by carpooling with two other people.
  • 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. Fuel economy peaks around 50 mph on most cars, then drops off as speed increases. Reducing freeway speeds by 5 to 10 mph can increase fuel economy by as much as 14%.
  • 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 heavy 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 June 9, averages are:

June 9  22

 

Media Contacts

Marie Montgomery
(714) 885-2320
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.