(LOS ANGELES – Jan. 5, 2012) – The first week of 2012 began with new January record highs for Southern California gas prices, 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 $3.698 per gallon, which is 8.6 cents higher than last week, five cents lower than last month, and 37 cents higher than last year. In San Diego, the price is $3.690, an increase of 8.4 cents from last week, six cents below last month, and 33 cents higher than last year. On the Central Coast, the average price is $3.71, up 8.4 cents from last week, one cent lower than a month ago, and 34 cents above last year. In the Inland Empire, the average per gallon price is $3.674, up 10.2 cents from last week, four cents lower than last month, and 36 cents more than last year.
“Currently gas prices are increasing by more than a penny a day in most Southern California areas,” said Auto Club spokesperson Jeffrey Spring. “Prices are just 30 cents below $4 a gallon. It is difficult to say whether or not this pace will continue and bring $4-plus price averages in the next month.”
The Weekend Gas Watch monitors the average price of gasoline. As of noon on Jan. 5, averages are:
Area | Regular | One-week change | Record Price |
Los Angeles – Long Beach | $3.698 | +8.6 cents | $4.626 (6/21/08) |
Orange County | $3.691 | +10.0 cents | $4.598 (6/19/08) |
San Diego | $3.690 | +8.4 cents | $4.630 (6/19/08) |
Santa Barbara – Santa Maria – Lompoc | $3.710 | +8.4 cents | $4.709 (6/21/08) |
Riverside – San Bernardino | $3.674 | +10.2 cents | $4.614 (6/22/08) |
Bakersfield | $3.634 | +4.8 cents | $4.591 (6/24/08) |
Ventura | $3.681 | +8.7 cents | $4.625 (6/18/08) |