Menu More MORE
AAA
Roadside... Roadside Assistance

Auto Club: Signs Of Reversal For Gas Prices As They Near $5

California Highway by Yancy
https://www.flickr.com/photos/ geewhypics https://creativecommons.org/ licenses/by/4.0/
Credit: Gaylon Yancy

While Southern California gas prices continued increasing this week, a big drop in wholesale prices may have already started reversing that trend, according to the Auto Club’s Weekend Gas Watch. The average price for self-serve regular gasoline in California is $4.93, which is ten cents higher than last week. The average national price is $3.47, which is ten cents higher 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 seven cents higher than last week, 29 cents higher than last month, and 69 cents lower than last year. In San Diego, the average price is $4.96, which is seven cents higher than last week, 29 cents higher than last month, and 64 cents lower than last year.

On the Central Coast, the average price is $4.90, which is seven cents higher than last week, 29 cents higher than last month, and 65 cents lower than last year. In Riverside, the average per-gallon price is $4.88, which is ten cents higher than last week, 35 cents higher than last month and 67 cents lower than a year ago. In Bakersfield, the $4.89 average price is 11 cents higher than last week, 28 cents higher than last month, and 54 cents lower than a year ago today.

“New reports from the Energy Information Administration and California Energy Commission indicate that both gasoline supplies and refinery utilization rates have improved in the past week, and there are fewer sales for Los Angeles wholesale gasoline, which is driving that cost down significantly,” said Auto Club spokesperson Doug Shupe. "We have already seen some of the higher-priced cities post price drops today, and that trend should continue as long as wholesale prices stay at their current level or keep dropping." 

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 March 9, averages are:

030923 chart

 

Media Contacts

Doug Shupe
LA-based media contact
(512) 659-1632
shupe.doug@aaa-calif.com
Anlleyn Venegas
Public Affairs Specialist. Spanish-Language Media Spokesperson , Auto Club Enterprises
(619) 565-4556
Venegas.Anlleyn@ace.aaa.com
CST 1016202-80 Copyright © Automobile Club of Southern California. All Rights Reserved.
The Automobile Club of Southern California is a member club affiliated with the American Automobile Association (AAA) national federation and serves members in the following California counties: Inyo, Imperial, Kern, Los Angeles, Mono, Orange, Riverside, San Bernardino, San Diego, San Luis Obispo, Santa Barbara, Tulare, and Ventura.