(LOS ANGELES, Sept. 8, 2006) — A year ago, Southern California and national gas prices zoomed above $3 a gallon for the first time in the wake of two major hurricanes. But a far less severe weather system this year has allowed gasoline price averages to dip below $3 a gallon in several local areas this week — the third straight week of large price decreases, 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 $3.053, which is more than six cents lower than last week, more than 17 cents lower than last month and six cents higher than last year. In San Diego, the price is $3.025, eight cents below last week's price, 15 cents below last month and two cents above last year. On the Central Coast, the average price is $3.284, down 5.6 cents from last week, nine cents below last month and 17 cents higher than last year. In the Inland Empire, the average price is $3.062, down 7.5 cents from last week, 19 cents below last month and three cents higher than last year.
"We are finally seeing some real relief for motorists from the record price levels we were paying in May," said Auto Club spokesperson Carol Thorp. "While more and more stations are charging less than $3 a gallon, it would require about four straight months of similar price drops to see Southern California pump prices below $2."
The Weekend Gas Watch monitors the average price of gasoline as of 12:01 a.m., Sept. 8:
Area | Regular | Change from | Record Price |
Los Angeles–Long Beach | $3.053 | - 6.5 cents | $3.402 (5/13/2006) |
Orange County | $2.996 | - 7.8 cents | $3.371 (5/17/2006) |
San Diego | $3.025 | - 8.0 cents | $3.438 (5/15/2006) |
Santa Barbara–Santa Maria- Lompoc | $3.284 | - 5.6 cents | $3.491 (5/16/2006) |
Riverside–San Bernardino | $3.062 | - 7.5 cents | $3.445 (5/15/2006) |
Bakersfield | $3.098 | - 10.3 cents | $3.450 (5/16/2006) |
Las Vegas , NV | $2.953 | - 2.7 cents | $3.176 (5/17/2006) |
###