Auto Club: Falling Demand Sends Gasoline Prices Lower

LOS ANGELES--Oct. 1, 20058, 2005--The average price of a gallon of gasoline in Southern California fell by almost 9 cents per gallon in the past month as motorists reduced driving after paying pump prices that topped $3 per gallon in September, according to the Automobile Club of Southern California monthly Fuel Gauge Report.

The Southern California October average price for regular self-serve gasoline is $2.943, which is 8.8 cents below last month's price of $3.031.

"All-time record-high prices in September had their effect on demand for gasoline in October," said Auto Club spokesperson Carol Thorp. "Most people can't reduce essential driving, such as commuting to work. But seeing gasoline prices above $3 per gallon apparently was enough for motorists cut back discretionary driving. As demand for gasoline dropped, pump prices followed."

However, the gasoline price dynamic may change this week as forecasters chart the course of Hurricane Wilma, which is churning through the Caribbean Sea. Currently, Wilma is expected to miss the beleaguered oil producing regions of Texas and Louisiana.

Statewide, the average price for October is $2.923, down 10.6 cents from $3.029 in September. The all-time record high of $3.054 was set on Sept. 9. The lowest average price in California is in La Habra, where regular is selling for $2.782. Blythe reports the state's highest average price at $3.201.

Nationally, the average price is $2.742, down from $2.956 in September. The least expensive gasoline in the country is found in Oklahoma City, where the average gas price is $2.242. The highest average price for gas in the United States in Wailuku, Hawaii, where a gallon of regular unleaded sells for $3.75.

In Southern California, the averages for regular and premium grades of gasoline are listed below:

County                       Reg 10-18  Reg 9-13   Pre 10-18  Pre 9-13

Imperial County
El Centro                      2.993      3.203      3.179      3.399

Inyo County
Bishop                         3.047      3.199      3.259      3.325

Kern County
Bakersfield                    2.889      3.124      3.115      3.336
Ridgecrest                       n/a      3.199        n/a      3.154

Los Angeles County
Alhambra                       2.891      2.924      2.979      3.039
Arcadia                        2.939      2.990      3.179      3.229
Burbank                        2.936      3.000      3.099      3.257
Culver City                    3.022      3.089      3.179      3.542
Glendale                       2.913      2.991      3.159      3.167
Glendora                       2.825      2.963      2.959      3.149
Inglewood                      2.888      2.977      3.099      3.159
Lancaster                      2.964      3.060      3.029      3.249
Long Beach                     2.891      2.967      3.011      3.120
Los Angeles                    2.948      3.015      3.081      3.143
Manhattan Beach                2.952      2.942      3.099      3.079
Montebello                     2.915      2.992      2.999      2.979
Santa Clarita                  2.977      3.006      3.199      3.166
Santa Monica                   2.966      3.063      3.195      3.359
Van Nuys                       2.909      2.936      3.032      3.076
Whittier                       2.883      2.940      2.913      2.977
Woodland Hills                 2.949      2.998      3.165      3.215

Orange County
Anaheim                        2.786      2.904      2.885      3.008
Fullerton                      2.773      2.907      2.935      3.082
Huntington Beach               2.809      2.951      2.993      3.146
La Habra                       2.782      2.873      3.039      3.091
Laguna Beach                   3.009      3.066      3.219      3.319
Newport Beach                  2.977      3.052      3.173      3.259
San Clemente                   2.981      3.038      3.206      3.212
Tustin                         2.914      3.002      3.059      3.189

Riverside County
Blythe                         3.201      3.179      3.199      3.254
Hemet                          2.959      2.999      2.882      2.959
Palm Springs                   3.022      3.072      3.229      3.259
Riverside                      2.881      2.954      3.055      3.122

San Bernardino County
Redlands                       2.905      2.942      3.202      3.179
San Bernardino                 2.937      3.005      2.977      2.897
Victorville                    2.995      3.070      2.926      3.081

San Diego County
Chula Vista                    2.939      3.016      3.121      3.316
Del Mar                        3.034      3.052      3.326      3.199
Escondido                      2.902      3.012      3.259      3.229
Oceanside                      2.960      3.069      3.189      3.319
San Diego                      2.976      3.042      3.190      3.243

San Luis Obispo County
San Luis Obispo                2.985      3.061      3.246      3.386

Santa Barbara County
Lompoc                         3.002      3.084      3.239      3.279
Santa Barbara                  3.009      3.113      3.146      3.079
Santa Maria                    3.050      3.097      3.194      3.259

Tulare County
Porterville                    2.943      3.199      3.034      3.290
Visalia                        2.943      3.175      3.166      3.299

Ventura County
Ventura                        2.927      2.964      2.945      3.012

So. Cal. Avg.                  2.943      3.031      3.106      3.189

The Auto Club's Fuel Gauge Report is based on data gathered from monitoring fuel transactions at 2,800 Southern California gas stations. Oil Price Information Service -- the nation's most comprehensive source of petroleum pricing information, provides the data. Editors, for regional average daily fuel prices nationwide, please go to www.fuelgaugereport.com.