A second week of double-digit increases at the pump has pushed up Southern California gas prices by about a quarter since the Aug. 6 fire at the Chevron refinery in Richmond, but there are signs that the spike may be over, according to the Automobile Club of Southern California’s Weekend Gas Watch.
The average price of self-serve regular gasoline in the Los Angeles-Long Beach area is $4.115 per gallon, which is 15.9 cents more than last week, 38 cents higher than last month, and 40 cents higher than last year. In San Diego, the price is $4.100, 16.1 cents above last week, 39 cents above last month, and 38 cents higher than last year.
On the Central Coast, the average price is $4.132, up 15.1 cents from last week, 34 cents higher than a month ago, and 37 cents above last year. In the Inland Empire, the average per gallon price is $4.090, up 17.1 cents from last week, 40 cents higher than last month, and 39 cents more than last year.
Bakersfield’s average price this week is $4.07
“Southern California gas prices have actually only risen by about two cents since Sunday, and most of the week-to-week increase occurred last Friday and Saturday,” said Auto Club spokesperson Jeffrey Spring. “With the refinery still partially open, it appears that wholesale gasoline buyers feel that for now, they have captured most of the cost increase that will result from the fire.”
Some of the best prices in the state are in the Central Valley with a Shafter ARCO at $3.69 today, Amigos Minimart in Avenal at $3.74 and ARCO in Delano at $3.79. Best price in Fresno is $3.85 at Costco; Visalia $3.99 at Houston Ave Market; San Luis Obispo at Costco $4.06.
Spot market gasoline market for LA is down over a dime from earlier this week signaling lower prices ahead.