Southern California gas prices continued rapidly upward for the second straight week as refineries started producing the more expensive ‘summer blend’ gasoline and undergoing annual maintenance, according to the Auto Club’s Weekend Gas Watch. The average price for self-serve regular gasoline in California is $4.59, which is three cents higher than a week ago. The average national price is $3.15, which is the same as a week ago.
The average price of self-serve regular gasoline in the Los Angeles-Long Beach area is $4.72 per gallon, which is six cents higher than last week, the same as last month, and six cents higher than last year. In San Diego, the average price is $4.74, which is seven cents more than last week, one cent lower than last month, and eight cents more than this time last year.
On the Central Coast, the average price is $4.70, which is five cents higher than last week, three cents lower than last month, and 10 cents more than last year. In Riverside, the average per-gallon price is $4.59, which is 10 cents higher than last week, one cent higher than last month and eight cents higher than a year ago. In Bakersfield, the $4.56 average price is two cents lower than last week, 21 cents lower than last month, and five cents lower than a year ago today.
“Oil Price Information Service on Wednesday reported a few announced planned and unplanned shutdowns at Southern California refineries that could affect supply,” said Auto Club Spokesperson Doug Shupe. “Since this is the time of year with lower demand, it is unknown whether the shutdowns will cause enough of a supply shortage to require imported gasoline, which typically pushes prices up until the imported supply arrives.”
The Weekend Gas Watch monitors the average price of gasoline. As of 9 a.m. on Feb. 8, averages are:
