Supply issues in Northern California have pushed up gas prices throughout the state by double digits in the last week as Southland refineries have sent fuel up north to cover the shortfall, according to the Automobile Club of Southern California's Weekend Gas Watch. The retail state average is $3.194 a gallon for regular today, 10.4 cents more than last week.
The average price of self-serve regular gasoline in the Los Angeles-Long Beach area is $3.262 per gallon, which is 12.9 cents more than last week, 6 cents less than last month, and $1.04 lower than last year. In San Diego, the average price is $3.225, which is 11.6 cents more than last week, 7 cents lower than last month, and $1.05 lower than last year. On the Central Coast, the average price is $3.228, 9.7 cents more than last week, 9 cents lower than a month ago, and $1.07 less than last year. In the Inland Empire, the average per-gallon price is $3.205, up 9.6 cents from last week, 9 cents less than last month, and $1.06 less than last year.
“Chevron’s Richmond refinery in Northern California reported a flare-up and partial reduction of production on Tuesday morning, but even prior to that, Los Angeles area refineries were shipping gasoline north to assist with reduced Northern California refinery output,” said Auto Club spokesman Jeffrey Spring. “The recent Chevron incident looks like it may put additional pressure on local pump prices, creating the second local gas price spike of 2015. The Auto Club recommends shopping around for gasoline, combining errands to reduce driving, and improving fuel economy by adopting a smooth, even driving style.”
The Weekend Gas Watch monitors the average price of gasoline. As of 9 a.m. on April 23, averages are:
Area |
Regular |
One-week change |
Record Price |
Los Angeles – Long Beach |
$3.262 |
+12.9 cents |
$4.705 (10/9/12) |
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Orange County |
$3.255 |
+15.7 cents |
$4.690 (10/8/12) |
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San Diego |
$3.225 |
+11.6 cents |
$4.725 (10/8/12) |
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Santa Barbara – Santa Maria – Lompoc |
$3.228 |
+9.7 cents |
$4.709 (6/21/08) |
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Riverside – San Bernardino |
$3.205 |
+9.6 cents |
$4.688 (10/8/12) |
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Ventura |
$3.236 |
+11.1 cents |
$4.689 (10/7/12) |
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Bakersfield |
$3.205 |
+2.2 cents |
$4.648 (10/9/12) |