Gas prices continue to hover near their highest levels in three years, but relief could be around the corner, according to the Automobile Club of Southern California's Weekend Gas Watch. The retail statewide average is $3.82 a gallon for regular unleaded, which is one cent higher than last week.
The average price of self-serve regular gasoline in the Los Angeles-Long Beach area is $3.87 per gallon, which is down a cent from last week, 20 cents higher than last month, and 81 cents higher than last year. In San Diego, the average price is $3.84, which is the same price as last Thursday, 20 cents higher than last month, and 80 cents higher than this time last year. On the Central Coast, the average price is $3.88, which is two cents higher than week, 18 cents higher than last month, and 82 cents higher than last year. In Riverside, the average per-gallon price is $3.80, which is unchanged from last week, 25 cents higher than last month, and 81 cents more than at this time last year.
“Refinery issues in California and Washington have been resolved, but the effects of those issues continue to keep prices high,” said Auto Club spokesman Jeffrey Spring. “However, we could see some price relief in the coming weeks. California gas stations will be allowed to start selling ‘winter blend’ gasoline on Nov. 1, which is about 12 cents a gallon cheaper to produce than the ‘summer blend’ currently being sold.”
The Weekend Gas Watch monitors the average price of gasoline. As of 9 a.m. on Oct. 18, averages are:
Area |
Regular |
1-week change |
Record Price |
Los Angeles – Long Beach |
$3.87 |
-1 cent |
$4.70 (10/9/12) |
|
|
|
|
Orange County |
$3.82 |
-2 cents |
$4.69 (10/8/12) |
|
|
|
|
San Diego |
$3.84 |
No change |
$4.72 (10/8/12) |
|
|
|
|
Santa Barbara – Santa Maria –Lompoc |
$3.88 |
+2 cents |
$4.70 (6/21/08) |
|
|||
Riverside |
$3.80 |
No change |
$4.68 (10/8/12) |
|
|
|
|
San Bernardino |
$3.82 |
No change |
$4.68 (10/8/12) |
|
|
|
|
Ventura |
$3.84 |
No change |
$4.68 (10/7/12) |
|
|
|
|
Bakersfield |
$3.79 |
+1 cent |
$4.64 (10/9/12) |