Gas Prices Bounce Back Up to January Levels

(LOS ANGELES, March 9, 2010) —Southern California gas prices rose by nearly nine cents in the past month, cancelling out the price declines experienced in February, according to the Automobile Club of Southern California monthly Fuel Gauge Report.

The Southern California March average price for regular self-serve gasoline is $3.073, nearly nine cents higher than the February average of $2.986. This month’s average price is 86 cents higher than last year’s March price average of $2.212.

The statewide average price of $3.07 is 11 cents higher than the February average of $2.961. Tracy in Northern California once again has the lowest average price in the state at $2.981, while Tahoe City has the highest gas price average at $3.299. In central and Southern California, the cheapest gas is in El Centro, with an average price of $3.013, and Laguna Beach has the most expensive gas at an average price of $3.161.

 

Nationally, the March average price of $2.759 is 11 cents higher than the February average of $2.644. Hawaii has the most expensive gas in the country with an average price of $3.437 – virtually unchanged from last month. Missouri has the lowest state average price at $2.578.

“It’s not unusual to see prices increase in March,” said Auto Club spokesperson Jeffrey Spring. “Higher oil prices played a factor in pushing prices up over the past two weeks, coupled with the typical springtime run-up in prices in anticipation of increased demand.”  

In Southern California, the averages for regular and premium grades of gasoline are listed below: