Auto Club: Gas Prices Rise for Fourth Straight Week

LOS ANGELES--Feb. 1, 2002--Pump prices increased for the fourth straight week throughout Southern California and turned up again in southern Nevada and Arizona, compared with the prior 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 $1.255 per gallon, which is 5.5 cents above last week's price. In San Diego the price is $1.322, which is 2.4 cents higher than last week's level. Motorists in the central coast have an average price of $1.352, which is 4.7 cents above last week's price.

``Prices in Southern California resumed their upward climb with all reporting regions showing some increase,'' said Auto Club spokesperson Jeff Spring. ``While prices in most of the nation remain somewhat level, California prices are increasing because some state refineries have closed some operations for maintenance and to prepare for the annual switch to summer grade gasoline.

``Also, many retailers sold gasoline at a loss during December hoping to gain market share and now they are trying to get back into the black.''

Average prices as of 12:01 a.m., Feb. 1:

Area                       Regular      Change from    Record Price
                                         last week

Los Angeles-Long Beach      $1.250       +5.5 cents    $2.036 (5/25)

San Diego                   $1.322       +2.4 cents    $2.025 (5/29)

Santa Barbara-Santa Maria-
Lompoc                      $1.352       +4.7 cents    $2.069 (5/16)

Las Vegas                   $1.200       +0.1 cents    $1.885 (3/27/00)

Phoenix-Mesa, Ariz.         $1.107       +0.7 cents    $1.720 (5/30)