Gas prices dropped slightly throughout most of Southern California in the last week despite the large refinery fire in El Segundo earlier this month, according to the Auto Club’s Weekend Gas Watch. The average price for self-serve regular gasoline in California is $4.64, which is two cents lower than last week and three cents lower than a year ago today. The average national price is $3.05, which is six cents lower than a week ago and 15 cents lower than on this date last year.
The average price of self-serve regular gasoline in the Los Angeles-Long Beach area is $4.69 per gallon, which is down three cents from last week and nine cents more than last year. In San Diego, the average price is $4.76, which is two cents lower than last week and eight cents higher than the price this time last year.
On the Central Coast, the average price is $4.64, which is one cent lower than last week and three cents lower than last year. In Riverside, the average per-gallon price is $4.59, which is two cents lower than last week and 13 cents higher than a year ago. In Bakersfield, the $4.59 average price is the same as last week and one cent lower than a year ago today.
“Southern California gasoline supplies appear to be in good shape as we get closer to Nov. 1, when gas stations will be allowed to start selling the less expensive ‘winter blend’ of gasoline,” said Auto Club spokesperson Doug Shupe.
California requires a ‘summer blend’ and ‘winter blend’ of gasoline to reduce vehicle pollution. The ‘summer blend’ is designed to emit less pollution in higher temperatures and is required to be sold in most Southern California areas from April 1 to Oct. 31.
The Weekend Gas Watch monitors the average price of gasoline. As of 9 a.m. on Oct. 16, averages are:
