Local gas price averages have dropped nearly $1 a gallon in the last month now that supply issues that caused prices to spike throughout September have been resolved, according to the Auto Club’s Weekend Gas Watch. The average price for self-serve regular gasoline in California is $5.21, which is 15 cents lower than a week ago. The average national price is $3.45, which is eight cents lower than a week ago.
The average price of self-serve regular gasoline in the Los Angeles-Long Beach area is $5.32 per gallon, which is 15 cents lower than last week, 97 cents lower than last month, and 25 cents lower than last year. In San Diego, the average price is $5.38, which is 14 cents lower than last week, 85 cents lower than last month, and 16 cents lower than last year.
On the Central Coast, the average price is $5.33, which is 18 cents lower than last week, 82 cents lower than last month, and 21 cents lower than last year. In Riverside, the average per-gallon price is $5.16, which is 19 cents lower than last week, 96 cents lower than last month and 27 cents lower than a year ago. In Bakersfield, the $5.34 average price is 12 cents lower than last week, 60 cents lower than last month, and 41 cents lower than a year ago today.
“Even though local gas price averages are still above $5 per gallon, most Southern California drivers should be able to fill up for around $4.50 a gallon by using an online tool such as the free AAA Mobile app to search for the cheapest gas,” said Auto Club Spokesperson Doug Shupe. “Some Northern California cities now have gas price averages under $5 a gallon, and hopefully this downward trend will continue to get Southern California average prices below that benchmark as well.”
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 Nov. 2, averages are:
