Southern California gas prices continue dropping as Christmas and New Year’s Day approach, but there are signs the price drops are slowing, according to the Auto Club’s Weekend Gas Watch. The average price for self-serve regular gasoline in California is $4.34, which is 11 cents lower than last week. The average national price is $3.10, which is nine cents lower than a week ago.
The average price of self-serve regular gasoline in the Los Angeles-Long Beach area is $4.43 per gallon, which is 11 cents lower than last week, 82 cents lower than last month, and 24 cents lower than last year. In San Diego, the average price is $4.42, which is nine cents lower than last week, 82 cents lower than last month, and 20 cents lower than last year.
On the Central Coast, the average price is $4.50, which is 12 cents lower than last week, 70 cents lower than last month, and 11 cents lower than last year. In Riverside, the average per-gallon price is $4.28, which is 11 cents lower than last week, 86 cents lower than last month and 32 cents lower than a year ago. In Bakersfield, the $4.59 average price is 18 cents lower than last week, 87 cents lower than last month, and four cents higher than a year ago today.
“After three historically large price spikes in 2022, Southern California drivers are finally getting some relief at the pump and at several gas stations they can pay less than $3.80 a gallon for regular unleaded,” said Auto Club spokesperson Doug Shupe. “Unfortunately, it looks like wholesale gasoline prices have bounced up as refineries have increased their maintenance activities and fuel inventories have shrunk, so it is uncertain how much longer the local price decreases will last.”
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 Dec. 22, averages are:
