After having leveled off for a week, Southern California gas prices began climbing in the past week in many parts of the region, according to the Automobile Club of Southern California’s Weekend Gas Watch. Today’s retail statewide average rose two cents to $4.25 a gallon for regular unleaded.
The average price of self-serve regular gasoline in the Los Angeles-Long Beach area is $4.27 per gallon, which is two cents higher than last week, nine cents higher than last month, and $1.21 higher than last year. In San Diego, the average price is $4.24, two cents higher than last week, eight cents more than last month, and $1.16 higher than last year.
On the Central Coast, the average price is $4.25, which is three cents higher than last week, eight cents higher than last month, and $1.16 higher than last year. In Riverside, the average per-gallon price is $4.20, which is two cents higher than last week, nine cents higher than last month, and $1.17 higher than last year. In Bakersfield, the $4.15 average price is two cents higher than last week, nine cents higher than last month, and $1.17 higher than a year ago today.
“Average gas prices are at levels we haven’t seen since September 2014,” said Auto Club spokesman Jeffrey Spring. “This past week, two local refineries reported flaring issues which usually translates into production issues. We’ll see in the next few days how this might affect retail prices.”
The Auto Club recommends motorists try fuel conservation tactics such as driving conservatively, anticipating road conditions ahead to avoid fast stops and starts and avoiding excessive idling. Auto Club members can also sign up for the Shell Fuel Rewards program to save five cents per gallon for up to 20 gallons per fill-up.
The Weekend Gas Watch monitors the average price of gasoline. As of 9 a.m. on June 24, averages are: