After several days of solid price increases leading into Memorial Day, local gas prices reversed course and dropped briefly, but then moved up again in the last day or two, according to the Auto Club’s Weekend Gas Watch. The average price for self-serve regular gasoline in California is $4.88, which is the same as last week. The average national price is $3.56, which is one cent lower than a week ago.
The average price of self-serve regular gasoline in the Los Angeles-Long Beach area is $4.96 per gallon, which is one cent higher than last week, nine cents higher than last month, and $1.45 lower than last year. In San Diego, the average price is $4.92, which is the same as last week, seven cents higher than last month, and $1.39 lower than last year.
On the Central Coast, the average price is $4.92, which is one cent lower than last week, seven cents higher than last month, and $1.39 lower than last year. In Riverside, the average per-gallon price is $4.84, which is one cent lower than last week, six cents higher than last month and $1.43 lower than a year ago. In Bakersfield, the $4.87 average price is one cent higher than last week, one cent lower than last month, and $1.44 lower than a year ago today.
“There are some mixed signals in the market that are causing volatility for Los Angeles wholesale gasoline prices,” said Auto Club spokesperson Doug Shupe. “Arizona gas prices seem to finally be dropping after months of a supply issue, so that may ease production pressures on Southern California refineries that also make Arizona fuel. According to Oil Price Information Service, West Coast refineries just reported their highest weekly utilization rate since 2019, which rose to 93% from 90% the previous week.”
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 June 8, averages are:
