LA Auto Club: Retail Gas Prices Climb for Third Consecutive Week

    LOS ANGELES--Jan. 17, 2003--Gasoline prices continued their upward climb for the third consecutive week throughout the Southwest region, 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 $1.635 per gallon, which is 2.8 cents higher than last week's price, 9.8 cents higher than last month and 48.5 cents higher than last year.
    In San Diego the price is $1.686 which is 2.5 cents higher than last week's level, 8 cents higher than last month and 39.6 cents higher than last year. Motorists in the central coast have an average price of $1.706, which is 4.2 cents above last week's price, 9.2 cents higher than last month and 45 cents higher than last year.
    "While there are still ample supplies and low wintertime demand, prices continue to increase due to the threat of war in the Middle East and the general strike in Venezuela," said Carol Thorp, Auto Club spokesperson. "Even though other OPEC countries have agreed to make up the Venezuela shortfall, it will take months for the product to reach the U.S."

Average prices as of 12:01 a.m., Jan. 17:

Area                        Regular    Change from    Record Price
                                        last week

Los Angeles-Long Beach      $1.635      +2.8 cents    $2.036 (5/25/01)

San Diego                   $1.686      +2.5 cents    $2.025 (5/29/01)

Santa Barbara-Santa Maria-
Lompoc                      $1.706      +4.2 cents    $2.069 (5/16/01)

Las Vegas                   $1.459      +4.0 cents    $1.885 (3/27/00)

Phoenix-Mesa, Ariz.         $1.357      +1.0 cent     $1.720 (5/30/01)