Southern California gas prices rose rapidly last week by double digits in many areas and averages are now within nine or ten cents of their levels a year ago in Los Angeles, San Diego and Riverside, according to the Auto Club’s Weekend Gas Watch. The average price for self-serve regular gasoline in California is $5.18, which is nine cents higher than a week ago. The average national price is $3.88, which is five cents higher than a week ago.
The average price of self-serve regular gasoline in the Los Angeles-Long Beach area is $5.27 per gallon, which is ten cents higher than last week, 28 cents higher than last month, and ten cents lower than last year. In San Diego, the average price is $5.24, which is nine cents higher than last week, 28 cents higher than last month, and nine cents lower than last year.
On the Central Coast, the average price is $5.19, which is seven cents higher than last week, 24 cents higher than last month, and 31 cents lower than last year. In Riverside, the average per-gallon price is $5.14, which is eight cents higher than last week, 28 cents higher than last month and nine cents lower than a year ago. In Bakersfield, the $5.09 average price is eight cents higher than last week, 20 cents higher than last month, and 38 cents lower than a year ago today.
“Oil Price Information Service reported this morning that Los Angeles and San Francisco wholesale gasoline prices are surging because there is limited supply on the wholesale market and a lot of demand from refiners looking to buy excess supply,” said Auto Club spokesperson Doug Shupe. “The combination of those factors is continuing to put upward pressure on prices at the pump.”
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 Aug. 17, averages are:
