(LOS ANGELES, February 14, 2003) The average price of gasoline spiked almost ten cents per gallon last week as fears of war and supply interruptions caused higher prices for the seventh consecutive week, according to the Weekend Gas Watch compiled by the Automobile Club of Southern California. The Weekend Gas Watch monitors the average price of gasoline at popular destinations for motoring trips.
Currently, the average price of self-serve regular unleaded gasoline in the Los AngelesLong Beach area is $1.789 per gallon, which is 9.4 cents higher than last week's price, 18 cents higher than last month and 51 cents higher than last year. In San Diego the price is $1.828, which is nine cents higher than last week's level, 16 cents higher than last month and 49 cents higher than last year. Motorists in the central coast have an average price of $1.822, which is eight cents higher than last week's price, 14 cents higher than last month and 45 cents higher than last year.
"We've seen gasoline prices increase about 22 percent since the first of the year, when the price run-up began," said Carol Thorp, Auto Club spokesperson. "War fears and the on-going petroleum workers strike in Venezuela are the major reasons for the price hikes."
Average prices as of 12:01 a.m., February 14:
Area | Regular | Change from last week | Record Price |
Los AngelesLong Beach | $1.789 | +9.4 cents | $2.036 (5/25/01) |
San Diego | $1.828 | +9.0 cents | $2.025 (5/29/01) |
Santa BarbaraSanta MariaLompoc | $1.822 | +8.0 cents | $2.069 (5/16/01) |
Las Vegas, NV | $1.673 | +8.3 cents | $1.885 (3/27/00) |
PhoenixMesa, AZ | $1.508 | +8.3 cents | $1.720 (5/30/01) |
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