Gas Prices Reach Last Year's Levels; Some Motorists Paying Less Than in 2000

    LOS ANGELES--Aug. 10, 2001--After six months of volatility during which the price of gasoline jumped to record levels in May, some Southern California motorists are paying less for gasoline now than they did at this time last year, according to the Automobile Club of Southern California's Weekend Gas Watch.
    Current prices in the Central Coast reporting area are 4.8 cents per gallon lower than last year's prices. The Los Angeles-Long Beach region is paying 4.7 cents per gallon more than last year, while San Diego motorists are paying 5.8 cents per gallon more.
    In Las Vegas, the current price for gas is 25.6 cents per gallon lower than in 2000 and Phoenix-area motorists pay 10.1 cents less for gas this year, compared with last year. The Weekend Gas Watch monitors the average price of gasoline at popular destinations for motoring trips.
    "When gasoline peaked just above $2 per gallon consumers began cutting back on the amount they use," said Auto Club spokesman Jeffrey Spring. "There was a lot of talk of $3 gasoline, but a slowing economy and consumer conservation brought prices down to last year's levels."

Average prices as of 12:01 a.m. Aug. 10.

Area                             Regular Change from  Record Price
                                          last week

Los Angeles-Long Beach           $1.642  -6.5 cents   $2.036 (set 5/25)

San Diego                        $1.745  -4.1 cents   $2.025 (5/29)

Santa Barbara-Santa Maria-Lompoc $1.747  -5.5 cents   $2.069 (5/16)

Las Vegas                        $1.423  -3.2 cents   $1.885 (3/27/00)

Phoenix-Mesa, Ariz.              $1.361  -4.1 cents   $1.720 (5/30)