Auto Club: Gas Prices Rise for Sixth Straight Week But At Slower Rate

    LOS ANGELES--Feb. 15, 2002--Pump prices increased for the sixth straight week throughout Southern California, southern Nevada and Arizona, 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 $1.287 per gallon, which is 0.7 cents above last week's price. In San Diego the price is $1.350, which is 1.1 cents higher than last week's level. Motorists in the central coast have an average price of $1.374, which is 0.4 cents above last week's price.
    "The rate of price increases in Southern California has slowed considerably," said Auto Club spokesperson Jeff Spring. "This is more reflective of the rest of the nation where prices have remained level for about two weeks, and shows that the lackluster economy continues to affect oil and gas prices."

	   Average prices as of 12:01 a.m., Feb. 15:

Area                       Regular  Change from last week Record Price

Los Angeles-Long Beach     $1.287        +0.7 cents       $2.036 (5/25)

San Diego                  $1.351        +1.1 cents       $2.025 (5/29)

Santa Barbara-Santa Maria-
Lompoc                     $1.374        +0.4 cents       $2.069 (5/16)

Las Vegas                  $1.226        +0.6 cents    $1.885 (3/27/00)

Phoenix-Mesa, Ariz.        $1.109        -2.0 cents       $1.720 (5/30)

    The Automobile Club of Southern California, the largest affiliate of the AAA, has been serving members since 1900. Today, the Auto Club's members benefit by roadside assistance, insurance products and services, travel agency, financial products, automotive pricing, buying and financing programs, automotive testing and analysis, trip planning services, highway and transportation safety programs.
    Information about these products and services is available on the Auto Club's Web site at www.aaa-calif.com.