(LOS ANGELES – April 26, 2012) –For the first time in 2012, Southern California gas prices are lower than they were at this time last year, but they are still 50 cents higher than on Jan. 1 even after six straight weeks of declines, according to the Automobile Club of Southern California’s Weekend Gas Watch.
The average price of self-serve regular gasoline in the Los Angeles-Long Beach area is $4.194 per gallon, which is 3.4 cents less than last week, 17 cents lower than last month, and 4 cents lower than last year. In San Diego, the price is $4.197, 2.9 cents below last week, 14 cents below last month, and 1 cent lower than last year. On the Central Coast, the average price is $4.243, down 5 cents from last week, 17 cents lower than a month ago, and 2 cents below last year. In the Inland Empire, the average per gallon price is $4.175, down 4.3 cents from last week, 17 cents lower than last month, and 3 cents less than last year.
“We are seeing several more stations with prices under $4 a gallon in east Los Angeles County, Costa Mesa, the Palm Springs area, San Bernardino and Escondido,” said Auto Club spokesperson Jeffrey Spring. “Prices are ranging widely right now from over $4.30 at some stations to under $4, so it’s important to shop around.”
The Weekend Gas Watch monitors the average price of gasoline. As of 10 a.m. on April 26, averages are:
Area | Regular | One-week change | Record Price |
Los Angeles – Long Beach | $4.194 | -3.4 cents | $4.626 (6/21/08) |
Orange County | $4.163 | -3.6 cents | $4.598 (6/19/08) |
San Diego | $4.197 | -2.9 cents | $4.630 (6/19/08) |
Santa Barbara – Santa Maria – Lompoc | $4.243 | -5.0 cents | $4.709 (6/21/08) |
Riverside – San Bernardino | $4.175 | -4.3 cents | $4.614 (6/22/08) |
Bakersfield | $4.222 | -3.4 cents | $4.591 (6/24/08) |
Ventura | $4.186 | -4.1 cents | $4.625 (6/18/08) |