Auto Club: Gas Prices Rise for Second Straight Week

LOS ANGELES--Jan. 18, 2002--Increases in pump prices became a trend throughout Southern California, southern Nevada and Arizona as price levels increased in the region for the second consecutive week, according to the Weekend Gas Watch, compiled by the Automobile Club of Southern California. The Weekend Gas Watch monitors the average price of gasoline at popular destinations for motoring trips. Currently, the average price of self-serve regular unleaded gasoline in the Los Angeles-Long Beach area is $1.158 per gallon, which is 9.3 cents above last week's price. In San Diego the price is $1.291, which is 4 cents higher than last week's level. Motorists in the central coast have an average price of $1.264, that is 8.1 cents above last week's price. ``Prices in the L.A.-Long Beach area jumped up the most during the week, but they still remain lower on average than most of the region,'' said Auto Club spokesperson Jeff Spring. ``During the past few weeks, gasoline refiners have been selling fuel out of overstocked inventories, thereby reducing the overall supply of gas. ``Since crude oil prices are fluctuating around $20 a barrel, there may be momentary price decreases, due to the soft economy. However, we expect to see gasoline prices generally moving upward for at least the next few weeks.'' <pre> Average prices as of 12:01 a.m., Jan. 18:

Area Regular Change from Record Price last week

Los Angeles-Long Beach $1.157 +9.3 cents $2.036 (5/25)

San Diego $1.291 +4.0 cents $2.025 (5/29)

Santa Barbara-Santa Maria- Lompoc $1.264 +8.1 cents $2.069 (5/16)

Las Vegas $1.196 +4.3 cents $1.885 (3/27/00)

Phoenix-Mesa, Ariz. $1.112 +2.9 cents $1.720 (5/30) </pre>