(LOS ANGELES, April 28, 2006) — Southern California motorists endured double digit increases at the gas pump for the second week in a row as prices reached new record highs every day this week, 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 $3.197, which is 16.8 cents higher than last week, 46 cents higher than last month and 59 cents higher than last year. In San Diego, the price is $3.213 — 9.7 cents above last week's price, 49 cents above last month and 62 cents above last year. On the Central Coast, the average price is $3.272, up 15.6 cents from last week, 44 cents above than last month and 54 cents higher than last year. In the Inland Empire, the average price is $3.225, up 17.2 cents from last week, 48 cents above last month and 60 cents higher than last year.
"Prices remain on the rise but there is hope that we may be nearing a peak," said Auto Club spokesperson Carol Thorp. "Wholesale gas prices have averaged about $2.60 per gallon for the past week. Taxes add about 60 cents to that, transportation and dealer profit is another five-to-ten cents. Prices in the L.A./Long Beach area could peak at $3.25–$3.30 by mid May then they could decline after Memorial Day."
The Weekend Gas Watch monitors the average price of gasoline as of 12:01 a.m., April 28:
| Area | Regular | Change | Record Price |
| Los Angeles–Long Beach | $3.197 | + 16.8 cents | $3.197 (4/27/2006) |
| Orange County | $3.177 | + 17.8 cents | $3.177 (4/27/2006) |
| San Diego | $3.213 | + 09.7 cents | $3.213 (4/27/2006) |
| Santa Barbara–Santa Maria–Lompoc | $3.272 | + 15.6 cents | $3.272 (4/27/2006) |
| Riverside–San Bernardino | $3.225 | + 17.2 cents | $3.225 (4/27/2006) |
| Bakersfield | $3.210 | + 12.3 cents | $3.210 (4/27/2006) |
| Las Vegas, NV | $2.942 | + 14.0 cents | $2.968 (9/8/2005) |
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