Auto Club: Upward Price Trend Continues At Pump

    LOS ANGELES--June 28, 2002--For the second consecutive week the average price of gasoline rose, but the increases were slight in some areas and modest in others, 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 $1.629 per gallon, which is one-tenth of a cent higher than last week's price, 6 cents higher than last month's price and 32 cents lower than the price at this time last year.
    In San Diego the price is $1.649, which is 1.3 cents higher than last week's level, 6 cents higher than last month and 33 cents lower than last year. Motorists in the central coast have an average price of $1.707, which is three-tenths of a cent above last week's price, 5 cents higher than last month's price and 28 cents lower than the price last year.
    "Even though the trend of pump prices is upward, the increases were relatively small," said Auto Club spokesperson Jeff Spring. "There could be price increases between now and the July 4th holiday period, but they probably won't discourage anyone from taking a driving trip."

Average prices as of 12:01 a.m., June 28:

Area                        Regular    Change from    Record Price
                                        last week

Los Angeles-Long Beach      $1.629      +0.1 cents    $2.036 (5/25/01)

San Diego                   $1.649      +1.3 cents    $2.025 (5/29/01)

Santa Barbara-Santa Maria-
Lompoc                      $1.707      +0.3 cents    $2.069 (5/16/01)

Las Vegas                   $1.544      +2.1 cents    $1.885 (3/27/00)

Phoenix-Mesa, Ariz.         $1.480      +1.1 cents    $1.720 (5/30/01)