LA Auto Club: Gas Prices Crest and Finally Start Downward

    LOS ANGELES--March 28, 2003--After reaching new record high prices in some cities last week, gasoline prices began moving slightly lower, according to the Weekend Gas Watch, compiled by the Automobile Club of Southern California. Pump prices had moved higher for the previous 12 weeks.
    Currently, the average price of self-serve regular unleaded gasoline in the Los Angeles-Long Beach area is $2.163 per gallon, which is two-tenths of a cent lower than last week's price, 22 cents higher than last month and 60 cents higher than last year.
    In San Diego the price is $2.207, which is four-tenths of a cent below last week's level, 22 cents above last month and 59 cents higher than last year. Motorists in the central coast have an average price of $2.196, which is eight-tenths of a cent lower than last week's price, 22 cents higher than last month and 58 cents higher than last year.
    "The annual change over from winter grade gasoline to summer grade is now complete in California, so the supply stream is once again moving smoothly," said Carol Thorp, spokesperson for the Automobile Club of Southern California. "We should see prices continue to edge lower over the next couple of weeks."
    The Weekend Gas Watch monitors the average price of gasoline at popular destinations for motoring trips. Average prices as of 12:01 a.m., March 28:

Area                        Regular   Change from    Record Price
                                       last week

Los Angeles-Long Beach      $2.163     -0.2 cents   $2.167 (3/22/03)

San Diego                   $2.207     -0.4 cents   $2.211 (3/20/03)

Santa Barbara-Santa Maria-
Lompoc                      $2.196     -0.8 cents   $2.207 (3/22/03)

Las Vegas                   $2.059     +1.2 cents   $2.063 (3/25/03)

Phoenix-Mesa, Ariz.         $1.990     -0.3 cents   $2.003 (3/22/03)