Gas price averages in Southern California began topping $4 a gallon last Friday but have moved only slightly upward in the past few days as imported gasoline began arriving to alleviate supply issues, according to the Automobile Club of Southern California's Weekend Gas Watch. The retail statewide average is $4.02 a gallon for regular unleaded, which is 11 cents higher than last week.
The average price of self-serve regular gasoline in the Los Angeles-Long Beach area is $4.07 per gallon, which is nine cents higher than last week, 69 cents higher than last month, and 46 cents higher than last year. In San Diego, the average price is $4.05, which is up 11 cents from last Thursday, 71 cents higher than last month, and 47 cents higher than this time last year. On the Central Coast, the average price is $4.09, which is 11 cents higher than last week, 68 cents higher than last month, and 47 cents higher than last year. In Riverside, the average per-gallon price is $4.01, which is 11 cents higher than last week, 72 cents higher than last month, and 45 cents higher than last year. In San Bernardino, the $4.02 average price is 11 cents higher than last week, 71 cents higher than last month, and 47 cents higher than a year ago today.
“Oil Price Information Service reported this week that California-blend gasoline has begun arriving by ship in Los Angeles from Europe, with some additional gasoline ingredients and supplies also being shipped from the Pacific Northwest and the Bay Area,” said Auto Club spokesman Jeffrey Spring. “However, the California Energy Commission on Wednesday released a report showing that California-blend gasoline production in state refineries is at an eight-year low, and so far it appears that maintenance and breakdown issues at six California refineries are continuing.”
The Auto Club recommends that motorists seek out gas prices that are lower than $4 a gallon by using the free AAA app, which shows the lowest gas price nearby on the app home screen.
The Weekend Gas Watch monitors the average price of gasoline. As of 9 a.m. on April 18, averages are:
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Area |
Regular |
1-week change |
Record Price |
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Los Angeles – Long Beach |
$4.07 |
+9 cents |
$4.70 (10/9/12) |
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Orange County |
$4.04 |
+9 cents |
$4.69 (10/8/12) |
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San Diego |
$4.05 |
+11 cents |
$4.72 (10/8/12) |
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Santa Barbara – Santa Maria –Lompoc |
$4.09 |
+11 cents |
$4.70 (6/21/08) |
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Riverside |
$4.01 |
+11 cents |
$4.68 (10/8/12) |
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San Bernardino |
$4.02 |
+11 cents |
$4.68 (10/8/12) |
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Ventura |
$4.06 |
+10 cents |
$4.68 (10/7/12) |
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Bakersfield |
$3.97 |
+15 cents |
$4.64 (10/9/12) |