(LOS ANGELES, August 8, 2003) Gasoline prices in Southern California have flattened out after dropping for six straight weeks, and oil analysts warn they could be heading up again in coming days, according to the Automobile Club of Southern California�s Weekend Gas Watch.
Currently, the average price of self-serve regular unleaded gasoline in the Los AngelesLong Beach area is $1.674 per gallon, just the same as last week�s price. That�s 8.8 cents lower than last month and 5.4 cents higher than this time last year. In San Diego, the price is $1.704, which is 0.5 cents above last week�s level, 7.6 cents lower than last month and 5.6 cents above last year. Motorists in the central coast pay an average price of $1.774, which is 0.6 cents lower than last week�s price, 9.8 cents lower than last month and 9.6 cents higher than last year.
"Oil industry analysts are observing higher prices that may soon trickle down to the pump," said Carol Thorp, Auto Club spokeswoman. "Available imported gasoline from Europe is declining at the same time that we�re experiencing increased demand because of the summer vacation driving season."
The Weekend Gas Watch monitors the average price of gasoline at popular destinations for motoring trips. Average prices as of 12:01 a.m., Aug. 8:
Area | Regular | Change from last week | Record Price |
Los AngelesLong Beach | $1.674 | None | $2.167 (3/22/03) |
San Diego | $1.704 | +0.5 cents | $2.211 (3/20/03) |
Santa BarbaraSanta MariaLompoc | $1.776 | -0.4 cents | $2.207 (3/22/03) |
Las Vegas, NV | $1.639 | None | $2.063 (3/25/03) |
PhoenixMesa, AZ | $1.536 | -0.4 cents | $2.003 (3/22/03) |
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