Gas Prices In Holding Pattern As Travelers Prep For Takeoff

While gas prices are rising in the rest of the U.S., they are holding steady in Southern California as Memorial Day travelers get ready to hit the road, according to the Automobile Club of Southern California's Weekend Gas Watch. The retail state average is $2.80 a gallon for regular today, two-tenths of one cent more than last Thursday.

The average price of self-serve regular gasoline in the Los Angeles-Long Beach area is $2.829 per gallon, which is eight-tenths of a penny lower than last week, six-tenths of one cent less than last month, and $1.17 lower than last year. In San Diego, the average price is $2.796, which is one-tenth of a cent less than last week, one-tenth of a cent higher than last month, and $1.18 less than this time last year. On the Central Coast, the average price is $2.857, one-tenths of a penny less than last week, 1.7 cents higher than a month ago, and $1.07 less than last year. In the Inland Empire, the average per-gallon price is $2.797, nine-tenths of a cent lower than last week, 1.5 cents less than last month, and $1.14 less than last year.

“Southern California remains the most expensive spot in the country for gas with the exception of Wailuku, Maui, but the good news is that local prices are not rising as they are elsewhere, and they are well over a dollar lower than this time last year,” said Auto Club spokesman Jeffrey Spring. “Travelers filling up now for next weekend will save about $18 per tank compared to last year in the Los Angeles and San Diego areas. The Auto Club urges those taking a road trip to inspect their tires, fluid levels and brakes before traveling.”

The Weekend Gas Watch monitors the average price of gasoline. As of 9 a.m. on May 19, averages are: