(LOS ANGELES – Dec. 29, 2011) – As during much of 2011, motorists got no break this week in gas prices as they climbed by a penny a day in many areas, 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 $3.612 per gallon, which is seven cents higher than last week, 9.9 cents lower than last month, and 31 cents higher than last year. In San Diego, the price is $3.606, an increase of 7.4 cents from last week, 8.6 cents below last month, and 28 cents higher than last year. On the Central Coast, the average price is $3.626, up 4.6 cents from last week, 15.6 cents lower than a month ago, and 28 cents above last year. In the Inland Empire, the average per gallon price is $3.572, up 7.3 cents from last week, 13.7 cents lower than last month, and 28 cents more than last year.
“Getting to the end of the most expensive year on record for gas prices, and ending the year at the most expensive prices ever for December, does not bode well for 2012,” said Auto Club spokesperson Jeffrey Spring. “The 2011 annual average price paid by drivers is $3.82 in Los Angeles, $3.81 in San Diego, $3.86 in Santa Barbara and $3.80 in the Inland Empire. Those averages are all about 30 cents higher than the previous annual records set in 2008.”
The Weekend Gas Watch monitors the average price of gasoline. As of noon on Dec. 29, averages are:
Area | Regular | One-week change | Record Price |
Los Angeles – Long Beach | $3.612 | +7.0 cents | $4.626 (6/21/08) |
Orange County | $3.591 | +9.9 cents | $4.598 (6/19/08) |
San Diego | $3.606 | +7.4 cents | $4.630 (6/19/08) |
Santa Barbara – Santa Maria – Lompoc | $3.626 | +4.6 cents | $4.709 (6/21/08) |
Riverside – San Bernardino | $3.572 | +7.3 cents | $4.614 (6/22/08) |
Bakersfield | $3.586 | +0.7 cents | $4.591 (6/24/08) |
Ventura | $3.594 | +6.6 cents | $4.625 (6/18/08) |