(LOS ANGELES, August 15, 2003) Gasoline prices in Southern California and the Southwest have jumped after a seven week downward trend, 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 $1.743 per gallon, up 6.9 cents from last week. That's 0.3 cents lower than last month and 13.2 cents higher than this time last year. In San Diego, the price is $1.782, which is 7.8 cents above last week's level, 1.9 cents higher than last month and 13.6 cents above last year. Motorists in the central coast pay an average price of $1.822, which is 5.2 cents higher than last week's price, 3.4 cents lower than last month and 13.9 cents higher than last year.
"A pipeline shutdown in Arizona has caused spot prices on the West coast to spike, and that increase has been translated quickly to the pump," said Carol Thorp, Auto Club spokesperson. "Also, refinery problems in Texas and a reduction in imported gasoline from Europe also are contributing to an already tight gasoline market at the same time that we're experiencing high demand due to 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. 15:
Area | Regular | Change from last week | Record Price |
Los AngelesLong Beach | $1.743 | +6.9 cents | $2.167 (3/22/03) |
San Diego | $1.782 | +7.8 cents | $2.211 (3/20/03) |
Santa BarbaraSanta MariaLompoc | $1.828 | +5.2 cents | $2.207 (3/22/03) |
Las Vegas, NV | $1.682 | + 4.5 cents | $2.063 (3/25/03) |
PhoenixMesa, AZ | $1.684 | +14.8 cents | $2.003 (3/22/03) |
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