Gas Prices Up From August

(LOS ANGELES, Sept. 13, 2011) —Fueled by a 20-cent jump over a two-week period, gas prices posted net gains over the past month and some Southland cities now have averages over $4 a gallon, 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 $3.967, 17 cents higher than the August average of $3.797 and 96 cents higher than last year’s September Fuel Gauge price of $3.007.

The statewide average price of $3.945 is 16 cents higher than the August average of $3.783 and 92 cents higher than last year’s September Fuel Gauge statewide price average of $3.023. Among surveyed Southern California cities, the lowest price average can be found in Lompoc at $3.855 (the only city with an average below $3.90) and the highest gas price average is in Del Mar at $4.102.

 

Nationally, the September average price of $3.642 is a penny lower than the August average of $3.652. Hawaii has the highest average price among U.S. states at $4.181. South Carolina has the lowest state average price at $3.402.  

“Consumers may have expected to see gas price declines after oil prices plunged last month, but unfortunately that never materialized and instead prices jumped,” said Auto Club spokesperson Jeffrey Spring. “We’re now hearing long-term forecasts from oil industry analysts who expect that investor activity, world events, U.S. refinery exports to other countries, and worldwide fuel demand will continue to keep prices high in coming years for U.S. consumers even while domestic gasoline demand is down.”

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