Southern California Gas Prices Edge Down From Peak
19 April 2000
Southern California Gas Prices Edge Down From Peak
LOS ANGELES--April 18, 2000--While still higher than a month ago, Southern California gasoline prices have been slowly edging down from their peak three weeks ago.California prices are falling slower than the national average, which showed an overall decrease of 5.4 cents a gallon compared to March. The price reductions, however slight, are a result of OPEC's March agreement to boost oil production.
The April average price of regular self-serve unleaded in Southern California is $1.757 compared to $1.701 on March 14. The "lowest" of the high gas prices in Southern California this month can be found in La Habra and Van Nuys where the average price for a gallon of self serve unleaded is $1.665 and $1.669 respectively. Premium grade gasoline remains higher than $2 per gallon in numerous cities, including Blythe, Bishop, Del Mar, El Centro, Ridgecrest, Santa Barbara and Santa Maria.
The April statewide average is $1.783 -- up from $1.736 on March 15. However, the average retail price of regular unleaded gasoline in California peaked about three weeks ago at $1.79 -- an all-time high, according to weekly surveys of 38 California stations by the U.S. Department of Energy.
Travelers to northern California can expect to pay an average of $1.92 in San Francisco, which is 2 cents higher than March. Las Vegas has an average of $1.80, down from a peak of $1.86 two weeks ago. The April national average is $1.489 cents per gallon -- down 5.4 cents compared to March.
In Southern California, the averages for regular and premium grades of gasoline are listed below:
County Unl Prem
Imperial County
El Centro 1.915 2.109
Inyo County
Bishop 1.912 2.119
Kern County
Bakersfield 1.799 1.926
Ridgecrest 1.789 1.933
Los Angeles County
Alhambra 1.683 1.879
Arcadia 1.684 1.869
Burbank 1.685 1.851
Culver City 1.776 1.943
Glendale 1.700 1.885
Glendora 1.739 1.879
Inglewood 1.705 1.879
Lancaster 1.700 1.882
Long Beach 1.710 1.913
Los Angeles 1.723 1.899
Manhattan Beach 1.775 1.959
Montebello 1.713 1.879
Santa Monica 1.788 1.949
Van Nuys 1.669 1.859
Whittier 1.697 1.879
Woodland Hills 1.707 1.912
Orange County
Anaheim 1.715 1.889
Fullerton 1.709 1.849
Huntington Bch 1.691 1.896
La Habra 1.665 1.779
Laguna Beach 1.755 1.905
Newport Beach 1.769 1.924
San Clemente 1.801 1.989
Tustin 1.739 1.925
Riverside County
Blythe 1.872 2.069
Hemet 1.760 1.957
Palm Springs 1.822 1.999
Riverside 1.722 1.863
San Bernardino County
Redlands 1.736 1.859
San Bernardino 1.721 1.882
Victorville 1.702 1.849
San Diego County
Chula Vista 1.805 1.994
Del Mar 1.834 2.049
Escondido 1.747 1.957
Oceanside 1.769 1.927
San Diego 1.788 1.964
San Luis Obispo County
San Luis Obispo 1.813 1.998
Santa Barbara County
Lompoc 1.819 1.999
Santa Barbara 1.865 2.028
Santa Maria 1.814 2.006
Tulare County
Porterville 1.744 1.933
Visalia 1.756 1.899
Ventura County
Ventura 1.766 1.962
So. Cal. Avg 1.757 1.931
During this period of high prices, the Auto Club continues to urge motorists to practice common-sense fuel conservation techniques and to shop aggressively for the lowest price.
Properly maintaining your vehicle is a critical component in reducing gas usage, according to Steve Mazor, principal automotive engineer. Underinflated tires, for example, can cut fuel economy by up to 2% per pound of pressure below the recommended level. Worn spark plugs and dirty air filters also increase fuel consumption. The Club also offers the following gas saving tips:
-- Knowing the correct starting procedure for your car. Racing an
engine to warm it up wastes fuel.
-- Maintaining steady speeds. A car uses extra fuel when it
accelerates.
-- Minimizing the need to brake by anticipating traffic
conditions. Be alert for slow-downs and red lights.
-- Using the air conditioner only when necessary. Air
conditioning reduces fuel economy by about 5%.
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 emergency road service, 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. Information about these products and services is available on the Auto Club's Web site at www.aaa-calif.com.