California Auto Association Says Gas Prices Down
21 May 1997
Gas Prices Drop for the First Time Since December '96, Says CSAA
SAN FRANCISCO, May 21 -- Retail gas prices in northern
California fell for the first time in four months, the California State
Automobile Association (CSAA) reported Wednesday.
Self-serve unleaded gasoline averages $1.43 a gallon in northern
California, down three cents from CSAA's April 21 Fuel Gauge Survey.
The average for self-serve unleaded has dropped three to eight cents in
northern California. In Fresno, the average has dropped eight cents to $1.33.
Concord's average dipped seven cents to $1.38. Santa Rosa's average dropped
six cents to $1.37 a gallon. Sacramento and Stockton's averages have fallen
five cents to $1.39 and $1.38. San Francisco and Oakland's averages tumbled
three cents to $1.49 and $1.43 a gallon. San Jose and San Mateo's averages
fell two cents to $1.46 and $1.48. The Santa Cruz average dropped one cent to
$1.47. (See accompanying chart for detailed price changes)
The regional averages for self-serve unleaded in northern California are
11 to 16 cents lower this May, compared to last year at this time.
The national average for self-serve unleaded gasoline is $1.24, down one
cent from last month and six cents lower than a year ago.
"The abundance of gasoline production in California is fulfilling the
current demand and therefore mitigating prices throughout the state," said
CSAA spokesman Ron Kennedy.
In Nevada, the average for self-serve unleaded has dropped four cents to
$1.39. The Las Vegas average fell five cents to $1.34. Reno's average rose
one cent to $1.48.
Utah's average for self-serve regular unleaded remained stable at $1.29 a
gallon. In Salt Lake City, the average climbed one cent to $1.29. Provo's
average dropped three cents to $1.27.
Holiday Travel Tips
* Before departing, pay close attention to weather reports and travel
advisories.
* Use public transit or arrange to have someone drive you to and from the
airport to avoid holiday traffic and parking delays.
* Plan to arrive an hour-and-a-half prior to domestic flights, and two
hours ahead for international flights.
* Carry emergency items in your vehicle including a flashlight, fresh
batteries, flares, and a cellular phone.
* To avoid fatigue from driving long periods, plan to stop every 2 hours
or 100 miles.
* Carry an extra ignition key in your pocket. Many motorists lock
themselves out of their cars while attending to problems after a breakdown.
* Never leave your car unattended with the key in the ignition while
attempting to pay for gasoline. Many vehicles are stolen in this manner.
* Do not leave your luggage or valuables in the car overnight.
Gasoline Conservation Tips
* Keep your car in top running condition. An out-of-tune car can use 3 to
8 percent more fuel.
* Check tires for accurate pressure. Under-inflated tires can reduce fuel
efficiency by 2 percent per pound below the recommended level.
* Outline your routes so you can travel at constant speeds and bypass
congested areas.
* Plan meals to coincide with peak traffic periods.
Motorists may see pump prices at individual retailers which vary from the
survey averages.
CSAA provides an array of automotive, travel, financial and insurance
services to over 3.7 million members in California, Nevada and Utah.
CALIFORNIA STATE AUTOMOBILE ASSOCIATION
MONTHLY GAS PRICE AVERAGES FOR A GALLON OF REGULAR UNLEADED,
SELF-SERVE GASOLINE
MAY 1996 - MAY 1997
TWELVE MONTH COMPARISON
CURRENT
5/97 4/97 3/97 2/97 1/97 12/96 11/96 10/96
N/CENTRAL CA 1.43 1.41 1.37 1.35 1.32 1.28 1.33 1.36
Concord 1.38 1.45 1.35 1.35 1.27 1.25 1.25 1.39
Hayward 1.49 1.49 1.40 1.38 1.27 1.26 1.29 1.36
Oakland 1.43 1.46 1.38 1.37 1.31 1.30 1.34 1.39
San Francisco 1.49 1.52 1.40 1.40 1.30 1.30 1.34 1.38
San Mateo 1.48 1.50 1.41 1.39 N/A N/A 1.33 1.37
San Jose 1.46 1.48 1.39 1.37 1.22 1.18 1.24 1.32
Santa Cruz 1.47 1.48 1.36 1.39 1.33 1.30 N/A N/A
Monterey 1.48 1.48 1.37 1.38 1.36 1.34 1.39 1.36
San Rafael 1.47 1.47 1.43 1.37 1.43 1.39 1.40 1.30
Santa Rosa 1.37 1.43 1.38 1.37 1.24 1.24 N/A 1.33
Sacramento 1.39 1.44 1.36 1.34 1.26 1.19 1.23 1.34
Lake Tahoe 1.40 1.43 1.35 1.38 N/A N/A N/A N/A
Stockton 1.38 1.43 1.37 1.36 1.23 1.19 1.24 1.35
Fresno 1.33 1.41 1.29 1.28 1.21 1.17 1.18 1.27
NEVADA 1.39 1.43 1.37 1.35 1.36 1.34 1.36 1.42
Las Vegas 1.34 1.39 1.36 1.35 1.38 1.32 1.34 1.36
Reno 1.48 1.47 1.39 1.38 1.38 1.39 1.42 1.46
UTAH 1.29 1.29 1.23 1.25 1.22 N/A N/A N/A
Salt Lake City 1.29 1.28 1.25 1.27 1.21 N/A N/A N/A
Provo 1.27 1.30 1.22 1.21 1.18 N/A N/A N/A
JULY 1996 MAY 1996
9/96 8/96 7/16 7/2 6/96 5/21 5/15 5/1
N/CENTRAL CA 1.47 1.49 1.54 1.54 1.56 1.59 1.59 1.60
Concord 1.49 1.52 1.54 1.54 1.56 1.59 1.59 1.60
Hayward 1.44 1.47 1.56 1.56 1.57 1.60 1.60 1.59
Oakland 1.50 1.50 1.56 1.56 1.59 1.60 1.60 1.59
San Francisco 1.45 1.54 1.56 1.57 1.58 1.61 1.60 1.60
San Mateo 1.50 1.56 1.56 1.57 1.56 1.58 1.58 1.56
San Jose 1.40 1.47 1.48 1.48 1.51 1.54 1.53 1.52
Santa Cruz N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A
Monterey 1.47 1.51 1.56 1.57 1.59 1.61 1.62 1.60
San Rafael 1.38 1.45 1.60 1.60 1.61 1.62 1.63 1.60
Santa Rosa 1.42 1.45 1.52 1.53 1.55 1.58 1.58 1.56
Sacramento 1.42 1.45 1.52 1.53 1.54 1.56 1.56 1.55
Lake Tahoe N/A 1.47 1.59 1.59 1.58 1.59 1.59 1.57
Stockton 1.43 1.46 1.52 1.52 1.54 1.57 1.57 1.56
Fresno N/A 1.36 1.46 1.48 1.50 1.56 1.56 1.54
NEVADA 1.39 1.43 1.50 1.51 1.53 1.58 1.58 1.55
Las Vegas 1.35 1.43 1.48 1.49 1.51 1.52 1.52 1.50
Reno 1.45 1.49 1.54 1.55 1.57 1.61 1.61 1.55
UTAH N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A
Salt Lake City N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A
Provo N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A
According to May 20, 1997 Survey of Over 350 Gas Stations
SOURCE California State Automobile Association
