The last few weeks’ continued gas price increases have pushed average prices for this time of year to levels not seen since 2012 – the same year California experienced its all-time highest gasoline prices, according to the Automobile Club of Southern California’s Weekend Gas Watch. Today’s retail statewide average is $4.21 a gallon for regular unleaded, which is three cents higher than last week.
The average price of self-serve regular gasoline in the Los Angeles-Long Beach area is $4.23 per gallon, which is three cents higher than last week, 14 cents higher than last month, and $1.27 higher than last year. In San Diego, the average price is $4.20, which is three cents higher than last week, 12 cents more than last month, and $1.25 higher than last year.
On the Central Coast, the average price is $4.19, which is four cents higher than last week, 11 cents higher than last month, and $1.20 higher than last year. In Riverside, the average per-gallon price is $4.15, which is four cents higher than last week, 13 cents higher than last month, and $1.28 higher than last year. In Bakersfield, the $4.08 average price is two cents higher than last week, 13 cents higher than last month, and $1.30 higher than a year ago today.
“Relaxation of pandemic restrictions is the biggest factor continuing to drive up prices,” said Auto Club spokesman Jeffrey Spring. “However, according to the latest California Energy Commission report, refineries are increasing both their production and inventories of California-blend gasoline, so the increases may soon be at an end.”
The Weekend Gas Watch monitors the average price of gasoline. As of 9 a.m. on June 3, averages are:
