High demand for travel as we head into the summer and continued concerns about global and local supply of gasoline will continue to put upward pressure on pump prices, according to the Auto Club’s Weekend Gas Watch. The average price for self-serve regular gasoline in California is $6.21, which is 14 cents higher than last week. The average national price is $4.72, which is 12 cents higher than a week ago.
The average price of self-serve regular gasoline in the Los Angeles-Long Beach area is $6.22 per gallon, which is 13 cents higher than last week, 40 cents higher than last month, and $1.90 higher than last year. In San Diego, the average price is $6.14, which is 12 cents higher than last week, 36 cents higher than last month, and $1.95 higher than last year.
On the Central Coast, the average price is $6.13, which is 10 cents higher than last week and 34 cents from than last month and is $1.93 higher than last year. In Riverside, the average per-gallon price is $6.08, which is 10 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.
“Memorial Day travel volume added to the demand for gasoline last weekend which had a direct impact in gas prices here in Southern California and the rest of the country,” said Auto Club spokesman Doug Shupe. It is hard to know what will happen with prices, but the upward pressure will likely last in the coming weeks and months as people take summer road trips.”
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 2nd, averages are:
