LOS ANGELES, CA -- (MARKET WIRE) -- February 9, 2007 -- Gas prices in much of Southern California rose by more than a penny a day over the last week, ending the five-week downturn that motorists enjoyed at the pump in late December and throughout January, 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 $2.559, which is 7.1 cents higher than last week, eight cents lower than last month, and five cents lower than last year. In San Diego, the price is $2.573, which is eight cents above last week's price, 11 cents below last month, and four cents below last year. On the Central Coast, the average price is $2.718, up 5.7 cents from last week, nine cents below last month, and three cents lower than last year. In the Inland Empire, the average price is $2.566, 8.1 cents above last week, eight cents lower than last month, and six cents lower than last year.
"Nationally, pump prices have also been rising since the beginning of this month, but not nearly as quickly as in California," said Auto Club spokesperson Carol Thorp. "For this time of year, this California price increase is typical because by March, all gas stations in the state will be selling the more expensive 'summer' blend of gasoline."
The Weekend Gas Watch monitors the average price of gasoline as of 12:01 a.m., Feb. 9:
Area Regular One-week Record Price
change
Los Angeles - Long Beach $ 2.559 +7.1 cents $ 3.402 (5/13/2006)
Orange County $ 2.506 +7.2 cents $ 3.371 (5/17/2006)
San Diego $ 2.573 +8.0 cents $ 3.438 (5/15/2006)
Santa Barbara - Santa Maria -
Lompoc $ 2.718 +5.7 cents $ 3.491 (5/16/2006)
Riverside - San Bernardino $ 2.566 +8.1 cents $ 3.445 (5/15/2006)
Bakersfield $ 2.547 +5.4 cents $ 3.450 (5/16/2006)
Las Vegas, NV $ 2.407 -1.5 cents $ 3.176 (5/17/2006)
Contact Information: Contact: Marie Montgomery/Carol Thorp (714) 885-2333