So Cal Gas Prices Climb Again, While National Average Drops
19 July 2000
California Regains ``Title'' for Most Expensive Gasoline in 48 States
LOS ANGELES - Southern California fuel prices reversed their downward course from June and climbed 10 cents per gallon in July while the national average price for gas fell from record highs set a month ago.The Southern California average price for a gallon of unleaded fuel is $1.72, compared with $1.62 on June 20. Gas prices had been dropping in California since reaching an all-time average high of $1.79 at the beginning of April. This month's statewide average is $1.76, up nearly 10 cents from June.
Huntington Beach is where some of Southern California's lowest gas prices can be found, with an average price of $1.59 a gallon for regular unleaded.
The average price for Northern California is $1.88 for regular unleaded. San Francisco drivers pay an average of $1.97 a gallon, while the average is $1.83 in Sacramento and $1.72 in Las Vegas.
Nationally, average fuel prices for regular unleaded gasoline fell nearly seven cents in the past month to $1.57 a gallon.
California regains the dubious crown for most expensive gasoline in 48 states. Only Hawaii has a higher state average at $1.90 per gallon. However, oil analysts say that wholesale prices are moving downward and that retail prices should follow in the coming weeks.
Overall pressure on fuel prices continues to come from OPEC's production restrictions and the resulting crude oil price of more than $30 per barrel. Saudi Arabian officials have indicated they favor a per barrel price of $25 and have said they are prepared to increase production to achieve this target. Other OPEC nations are less sure of production increases.
JULY FUEL GAUGE County Unl Pre Imperial County El Centro 1.874 1.959 Inyo County Bishop 1.959 2.059 Kern County Bakersfield 1.770 1.939 Ridgecrest 1.843 1.969 Los Angeles County Alhambra 1.635 1.776 Arcadia 1.624 1.784 Burbank 1.672 1.822 Culver City 1.720 1.899 Glendale 1.653 1.842 Glendora 1.639 1.779 Inglewood 1.657 1.822 Lancaster 1.690 1.934 Long Beach 1.636 1.817 Los Angeles 1.668 1.844 Manhattan Beach 1.713 1.935 Montebello 1.659 1.824 Santa Monica 1.732 1.989 Van Nuys 1.631 1.796 Whittier 1.633 1.801 Woodland Hills 1.670 1.846 Orange County Anaheim 1.644 1.811 Fullerton 1.642 1.794 Huntington Bch 1.595 1.779 La Habra 1.615 1.791 Laguna Beach 1.710 1.899 Newport Beach 1.725 2.099 San Clemente 1.769 1.939 Tustin 1.679 1.819 Riverside County Blythe 1.890 2.079 Hemet 1.717 1.919 Palm Springs 1.794 1.924 Riverside 1.633 1.783 San Bernardino County Redlands 1.657 1.812 San Bernardino 1.674 1.799 Victorville 1.683 1.899 San Diego County Chula Vista 1.707 1.872 Del Mar 1.774 1.915 Escondido 1.722 1.919 Oceanside 1.716 1.932 San Diego 1.721 1.896 San Luis Obispo County San Luis Obispo 1.759 1.919 Santa Barbara County Lompoc 1.859 2.019 Santa Barbara 1.856 2.049 Santa Maria 1.791 1.889 Tulare County Porterville 1.860 2.059 Visalia 1.859 1.889 Ventura County Ventura 1.747 1.899 So. Calif Avg. 1.721 1.890
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.
The Automobile Club of Southern California, the largest affiliate of AAA, has been serving members since 1900. Today, Auto Club members benefit by the organization's roadside assistance, financial products, travel agency and trip planning services, highway and transportation safety programs, insurance products and services, automotive pricing, buying and financing programs and legislative advocacy.
