Gas Prices Post Big Drop from August

(LOS ANGELES, Sept. 14, 2010) —Gas prices plunged from about $3.15 a gallon to under $3 a gallon in many Southern California cities over the past month, according to the Automobile Club of Southern California monthly Fuel Gauge Report.

The Southern California September average price for regular unleaded self-serve gasoline is $3.007, 16 cents lower than the August average of $3.164. This month’s average price is 10 cents lower than last year’s September price average of $3.104 – the first time this year that prices have been lower than during the same month in 2009.

The statewide average price of $3.023 is 15 cents lower than the August average of $3.179. Marysville in Northern California has the lowest average price in the state at $2.898, while South Lake Tahoe has the highest gas price average at $3.307. The lowest priced Southern California city surveyed is La Habra at $2.924 while highest-priced Southern California gas is in Ridgecrest at $3.187 a gallon.

 

Nationally, the August average price of $2.717 is almost seven cents lower than the August average of $2.781. Alaska continues to have the most expensive gas in the country with an average price of $3.523. South Carolina and New Jersey have the lowest state average price at $2.495.  

“We’ve passed through most of hurricane season with no disruption to oil supplies, and the only issue affecting U.S. gas prices at the moment is a pipeline closure in the Midwest, which does not affect California’s gasoline supply,” said Auto Club spokesperson Jeffrey Spring. “This is traditionally the time of year that gas prices and fuel demand go down. However, since we’ve experienced remarkably stable prices all year, it’s hard to say if they’ll drop very much more.”

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