Driven by higher oil prices and increasing demand due to more people returning to the office and a strong summer travel season, Southern California gas prices continued a slow climb upward during the past week, according to the Automobile Club of Southern California’s Weekend Gas Watch. Today’s retail statewide average rose three cents to $4.28 a gallon for regular unleaded.
The average price of self-serve regular gasoline in the Los Angeles-Long Beach area is $4.30 per gallon, which is three cents higher than last week, 12 cents higher than last month, and $1.23 higher than last year. In San Diego, the average price is $4.27, three cents higher than last week, eight cents more than last month, and $1.17 higher than last year.
On the Central Coast, the average price is $4.26, which is one cent higher than last week, seven cents higher than last month, and $1.15 higher than last year. In Riverside, the average per-gallon price is $4.23, which is three cents higher than last week, nine cents higher than last month, and $1.19 higher than last year. In Bakersfield, the $4.20 average price is five cents higher than last week, 12 cents higher than last month, and $1.18 higher than a year ago today.
“July 4th travelers will be paying the highest state average price for regular since the 2014 holiday weekend,” said Auto Club spokesman Jeffrey Spring. “Very strong demand and higher oil prices internationally continue to be the key drivers of higher prices.”
The Auto Club recommends motorists can save fuel by combining errands, using the most fuel-efficient vehicle in the family when possible and keeping tires properly inflated.
The Weekend Gas Watch monitors the average price of gasoline. As of 9 a.m. on July 1, averages are:
