Southern California gas prices continue to drop significantly with plenty of room to plunge further after the huge price spike that ended earlier this month, according to the Auto Club’s Weekend Gas Watch. The average price for self-serve regular gasoline in California is $5.64, which is 24 cents lower than last week. The average national price is $3.76, which is eight cents lower than a week ago.
The average price of self-serve regular gasoline in the Los Angeles-Long Beach area is $5.71 per gallon, which is 22 cents lower than last week, 25 cents lower than last month, and $1.14 higher than last year. In San Diego, the average price is $5.67, which is 20 cents lower than last week, 23 cents lower than last month, and $1.15 higher than last year.
On the Central Coast, the average price is $5.68, which is 20 cents lower than last week, 23 cents lower than last month, and $1.17 higher than last year. In Riverside, the average per-gallon price is $5.53, which is 26 cents lower than last week, 27 cents lower than last month, and $1.05 higher than a year ago. In Bakersfield, the $5.84 average price is 20 cents lower than last Thursday, 13 cents higher than last month, and $1.35 higher than a year ago today.
“This morning’s Los Angeles wholesale gasoline price is $1.86 below its all-time record on Sept. 27 and $1.40 below its Oct. 4 price, just before California announced it would allow early sales of winter blend gasoline and helped to end the supply crisis that caused record Southern California pump prices in September and October,” said Auto Club spokesperson Doug Shupe. “Gas station price averages have dropped by 75 to 90 cents from their record levels in most areas so far, so there should still be room for additional substantial price drops as long as wholesale prices don’t significantly increase.”
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. 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 Oct. 27, averages are: