(LOS ANGELES, June 9, 2006) — For the third consecutive week, gasoline prices across the region declined, according to the Automobile Club of Southern California's Weekend Gas Watch. Since prices reached their peak three weeks ago, they have fallen 7–9 cents per gallon in most areas but are still almost a dollar above last year's level.
The average price of self-serve regular gasoline in the Los Angeles–Long Beach area is $3.315, which is 4.1 cents lower than last week, eight cents lower than last month and 94 cents higher than last year. In San Diego, the price is $3.322, 4.3 cents below last week's price, ten cents below last month and 94 cents above last year. On the Central Coast, the average price is $3.458, down 2.8 cents from last week, one cent below last month and 95 cents higher than last year. In the Inland Empire, the average price is $3.338, down 4.2 cents from last week, nine cents below last month and 98 cents higher than last year.
"Gasoline prices have been drifting lower, following a post–Memorial Day pattern we've observed over the past five years," said Auto Club spokesman Jeff Spring. "While we are in the summer driving season, this is also the time when refineries are producing at high levels and imports of gasoline increase. Barring any disruptions, prices could continue lower over the next few weeks."
The Weekend Gas Watch monitors the average price of gasoline as of 12:01 a.m., June 9:
Area | Regular | Change | Record Price |
Los Angeles–Long Beach | $3.315 | - 4.1 cents | $3.402 (5/13/2006) |
Orange County | $3.267 | - 3.9 cents | $3.371 (5/17/2006) |
San Diego | $3.322 | - 4.3 cents | $3.438 (5/15/2006) |
Santa Barbara–Santa Maria–Lompoc | $3.458 | - 2.8 cents | $3.491 (5/16/2006) |
Riverside–San Bernardino | $3.338 | - 4.2 cents | $3.445 (5/15/2006) |
Bakersfield | $3.333 | - 4.6 cents | $3.450 (5/16/2006) |
Las Vegas, NV | $3.065 | - 3.6 cents | $3.176 (5/17/2006) |
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