Pump prices around Southern California moved up slightly in the past week as the seasonal shift toward more expensive “summer blend” gasoline continues, according to the Automobile Club of Southern California's Weekend Gas Watch. The retail statewide average is $3.28 a gallon for regular unleaded, which is one penny higher than last week.
The average price of self-serve regular gasoline in the Los Angeles-Long Beach area is $3.35 per gallon, which is two cents higher than last week, five cents higher than last month, and seven cents lower than last year. In San Diego, the average price is $3.30, which is two cents higher than last Thursday, four cents higher than last month, and 10 cents lower than this time last year. On the Central Coast, the average price is $3.36, which is one cent higher than last week, four cents higher than last month, and four cents lower than last year. In Riverside, the average per-gallon price is $3.25, which is two cents higher than last week, six cents higher than last month, and 11 cents lower than last year. In San Bernardino, the $3.29 average price is two cents higher than last week, five cents higher than last month, and nine cents lower than a year ago today.
“Prices have risen by about a nickel per gallon in the last month in most areas, but this is just the start of the seasonal increase we usually experience in Southern California due to the switch from winter blend to summer blend gasoline,” said Auto Club spokesman Jeffrey Spring. “Air quality requirements mandate that as of April 1, most Southern California regions must start selling summer blend gasoline, which is about 12 cents more expensive per gallon. However, that summer blend is already in the supply pipeline and affecting pump prices.”
The Weekend Gas Watch monitors the average price of gasoline. As of 9 a.m. on Feb. 21, averages are:
Area |
Regular |
1-week change |
Record Price |
Los Angeles – Long Beach |
$3.35 |
+2 cents |
$4.70 (10/9/12) |
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Orange County |
$3.31 |
+1 cent |
$4.69 (10/8/12) |
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San Diego |
$3.30 |
+2 cents |
$4.72 (10/8/12) |
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Santa Barbara – Santa Maria –Lompoc |
$3.36 |
+1 cent |
$4.70 (6/21/08) |
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Riverside |
$3.25 |
+2 cents |
$4.68 (10/8/12) |
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San Bernardino |
$3.29 |
+2 cents |
$4.68 (10/8/12) |
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Ventura |
$3.33 |
+1 cent |
$4.68 (10/7/12) |
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Bakersfield |
$3.28 |
+1 cent |
$4.64 (10/9/12) |