LOS ANGELES – Southern California gas prices continued downward for a tenth straight week and are now within about 30 cents of their lowest levels of the year, according to the Auto Club’s Weekend Gas Watch. 

The average price for self-serve regular gasoline in California is $4.74, which is 11 cents lower than a week ago. The average national price is $3.20, which is five cents lower than a week ago.

The average price of self-serve regular gasoline in the Los Angeles-Long Beach area is $4.85 per gallon, which is 10 cents lower than last week, 39 cents lower than last month, and 10 cents lower than last year. In San Diego, the average price is $4.89, which is nine cents lower than last week, 41 cents lower than last month, and 17 cents more than this time last year.

On the Central Coast, the average price is $4.86, which is 12 cents lower than last week, 38 cents lower than last month, and eight cents more than last year. In Riverside, the average per-gallon price is $4.69, which is eight cents lower than last week, 39 cents lower than last month and six cents higher than a year ago. In Bakersfield, the $4.92 average price is 12 cents lower than last week, 37 cents lower than last month, and 10 cents lower than a year ago today.

“The U.S. Energy Information Administration reported Wednesday that gasoline stocks dropped over the past week in West Coast refineries, but it remains to be seen how much that will affect pump prices since this is typically the time of year with the lowest gasoline demand,” said Auto Club Spokesperson Doug Shupe.

The Auto Club reminds drivers of the following tips to save money on gas:

• If you use premium unleaded fuel, make sure it is required for your vehicle, not just recommended. The Auto Club’s Automotive Research Center found that vehicles with recommended premium fuel performed safely with regular unleaded gasoline.
• Make sure your tires are properly maintained and inflated to the correct level.
• Maintain your car according to the manufacturer’s recommendations. Regular service will ensure optimum fuel economy.
• Avoid “jackrabbit” starts and hard accelerations. These actions greatly increase fuel consumption.
• Slow down and drive the speed limit. Fuel economy peaks around 50 mph on most cars, then drops off as speed increases. Reducing freeway speeds by 5 to 10 mph can increase fuel economy by as much as 14%.
• Use cruise control on the highway to help maintain a constant speed and save fuel. However, never use cruise control on slippery roads because you could lose control of the vehicle.
• Minimize your use of air conditioning.
• Avoid extended idling to warm up the engine, even in colder temperatures. It’s unnecessary and wastes fuel.
• Remove unnecessary and heavy items from your car.
• Minimize your use of roof racks and remove special carriers when not in use.
• Download the AAA App to find the cheapest gas prices near you. 

The Weekend Gas Watch monitors the average price of gasoline. As of 9 a.m. on Dec. 7, averages are:

LOS ANGELES – For the first time since July, most Southern California gas price averages are now below $5 a gallon after continued price drops during the week after Thanksgiving, according to the Auto Club’s Weekend Gas Watch. 

The average price for self-serve regular gasoline in California is $4.85, which is seven cents lower than a week ago. The average national price is $3.25, which is two cents lower than a week ago.

The average price of self-serve regular gasoline in the Los Angeles-Long Beach area is $4.95 per gallon, which is eight cents lower than last week, 45 cents lower than last month, and seven cents lower than last year. In San Diego, the average price is $4.98, which is seven cents lower than last week, 48 cents lower than last month, and the same price as this time last year.

On the Central Coast, the average price is $4.98, which is eight cents lower than last week, 46 cents lower than last month, and the same as last year. In Riverside, the average per-gallon price is $4.77, which is eight cents lower than last week, 48 cents lower than last month and 12 cents lower than a year ago. In Bakersfield, the $5.04 average price is seven cents lower than last week, 38 cents lower than last month, and 26 cents lower than a year ago today.

“Gas price reductions are slowing down, but it appears there is some room for prices to drop further as long as wholesale prices do not significantly rise,” said Auto Club Spokesperson Doug Shupe. “The main reasons for the downward pressure on retail prices include an ample supply in the market and a continual recovery from the September price spike. Also, as we get closer to winter, gas demand historically drops and retail prices follow.”

The Auto Club reminds drivers of the following tips to save money on gas:

• If you use premium unleaded fuel, make sure it is required for your vehicle, not just recommended. The Auto Club’s Automotive Research Center found that vehicles with recommended premium fuel performed safely with regular unleaded gasoline.
• Make sure your tires are properly maintained and inflated to the correct level.
• Maintain your car according to the manufacturer’s recommendations. Regular service will ensure optimum fuel economy.
• Avoid “jackrabbit” starts and hard accelerations. These actions greatly increase fuel consumption.
• Slow down and drive the speed limit. Fuel economy peaks around 50 mph on most cars, then drops off as speed increases. Reducing freeway speeds by 5 to 10 mph can increase fuel economy by as much as 14%.
• Use cruise control on the highway to help maintain a constant speed and save fuel. However, never use cruise control on slippery roads because you could lose control of the vehicle.
• Minimize your use of air conditioning.
• Avoid extended idling to warm up the engine, even in colder temperatures. It’s unnecessary and wastes fuel.
• Remove unnecessary and heavy items from your car.
• Minimize your use of roof racks and remove special carriers when not in use.
• Download the AAA App to find the cheapest gas prices near you. 

The Weekend Gas Watch monitors the average price of gasoline. As of 9 a.m. on Nov. 30, averages are:

Editors Note: The Weekend Gas Watch is being published one day early due to the holiday.

LOS ANGELES – Continued price drops at the gas pump are bringing Southern California drivers some relief as they head to and from their Thanksgiving holiday destinations in record numbers, according to the Auto Club’s Weekend Gas Watch.

The average price for self-serve regular gasoline in California is $4.94, which is 11 cents lower than a week ago. The average national price is $3.28, which is seven cents lower than a week ago.

The average price of self-serve regular gasoline in the Los Angeles-Long Beach area is $5.04 per gallon, which is 11 cents lower than last week, 54 cents lower than last month, and 21 cents lower than last year. In San Diego, the average price is $5.07, which is 12 cents lower than last week, 54 cents lower than last month, and 17 cents lower than last year.

On the Central Coast, the average price is $5.07, which is seven cents lower than last week, 50 cents lower than last month, and 13 cents lower than last year. In Riverside, the average per-gallon price is $4.86, which is 12 cents lower than last week, 58 cents lower than last month and 28 cents lower than a year ago. In Bakersfield, the $5.13 average price is eight cents lower than last week, 40 cents lower than last month, and 33 cents lower than a year ago today.

“More Southern California areas saw gas price averages drop below $5 a gallon this week and if current trends hold, average gas prices in Los Angeles, San Diego and Santa Barbara should be below $5 a gallon in the next week as well,” said Auto Club Spokesperson Doug Shupe. “The Auto Club reminds drivers this holiday to be patient on busy freeways, use seatbelts, obey speed limits, and focus their full attention on the road ahead.” 

The Auto Club reminds drivers of the following tips to save money on gas:

• If you use premium unleaded fuel, make sure it is required for your vehicle, not just recommended. The Auto Club’s Automotive Research Center found that vehicles with recommended premium fuel performed safely with regular unleaded gasoline.
• Make sure your tires are properly maintained and inflated to the correct level.
• Maintain your car according to the manufacturer’s recommendations. Regular service will ensure optimum fuel economy.
• Avoid “jackrabbit” starts and hard accelerations. These actions greatly increase fuel consumption.
• Slow down and drive the speed limit. Fuel economy peaks around 50 mph on most cars, then drops off as speed increases. Reducing freeway speeds by 5 to 10 mph can increase fuel economy by as much as 14%.
• Use cruise control on the highway to help maintain a constant speed and save fuel. However, never use cruise control on slippery roads because you could lose control of the vehicle.
• Minimize your use of air conditioning.
• Avoid extended idling to warm up the engine, even in colder temperatures. It’s unnecessary and wastes fuel.
• Remove unnecessary and heavy items from your car.
• Minimize your use of roof racks and remove special carriers when not in use.
• Download the AAA App to find the cheapest gas prices near you. 

The Weekend Gas Watch monitors the average price of gasoline. As of 9 a.m. on Nov. 22, averages are:

LOS ANGELES – As a record number of Southern Californians get set to travel over the Thanksgiving holiday, gas prices have continued dropping, but at a slower pace than previous weeks, according to the Auto Club’s Weekend Gas Watch. 

The average price for self-serve regular gasoline in California is $5.04, which is seven cents lower than a week ago. The average national price is $3.34, which is six cents lower than a week ago.

The average price of self-serve regular gasoline in the Los Angeles-Long Beach area is $5.14 per gallon, which is six cents lower than last week, 64 cents lower than last month, and 32 cents lower than last year. In San Diego, the average price is $5.18, which is eight cents lower than last week, 60 cents lower than last month, and 27 cents lower than last year.

On the Central Coast, the average price is $5.13, which is eight cents lower than last week, 60 cents lower than last month, and 28 cents lower than last year. In Riverside, the average per-gallon price is $4.97, which is seven cents lower than last week, 67 cents lower than last month and 37 cents lower than a year ago. In Bakersfield, the $5.18 average price is eight cents lower than last week, 46 cents lower than last month, and 43 cents lower than a year ago today.

“Those taking holiday road trips over Thanksgiving will spend about 30 to 40 cents per gallon less than at this time last year in California, and also less than last year in most other states,” said Auto Club Spokesperson Doug Shupe. “Travelers can use AAA’s Gas Cost Calculator to estimate how much they will need to spend on gas for their road trips, and the free AAA Mobile app to find the least expensive gas closest to them.”

The Auto Club reminds drivers of the following tips to save money on gas:

• If you use premium unleaded fuel, make sure it is required for your vehicle, not just recommended. The Auto Club’s Automotive Research Center found that vehicles with recommended premium fuel performed safely with regular unleaded gasoline.
• Make sure your tires are properly maintained and inflated to the correct level.
• Maintain your car according to the manufacturer’s recommendations. Regular service will ensure optimum fuel economy.
• Avoid “jackrabbit” starts and hard accelerations. These actions greatly increase fuel consumption.
• Slow down and drive the speed limit. Fuel economy peaks around 50 mph on most cars, then drops off as speed increases. Reducing freeway speeds by 5 to 10 mph can increase fuel economy by as much as 14%.
• Use cruise control on the highway to help maintain a constant speed and save fuel. However, never use cruise control on slippery roads because you could lose control of the vehicle.
• Minimize your use of air conditioning.
• Avoid extended idling to warm up the engine, even in colder temperatures. It’s unnecessary and wastes fuel.
• Remove unnecessary and heavy items from your car.
• Minimize your use of roof racks and remove special carriers when not in use.
• Download the AAA App to find the cheapest gas prices near you. 

The Weekend Gas Watch monitors the average price of gasoline. As of 9 a.m. on Nov. 16, averages are:

LOS ANGELES – Southern California gas price averages should drop below $5 a gallon in some areas in the next few days as prices throughout the region continue to decline, according to the Auto Club’s Weekend Gas Watch. 

The average price for self-serve regular gasoline in California is $5.11, which is 10 cents lower than a week ago. The average national price is $3.40, which is five cents lower than a week ago.

The average price of self-serve regular gasoline in the Los Angeles-Long Beach area is $5.20 per gallon, which is 12 cents lower than last week, 79 cents lower than last month, and 33 cents lower than last year. In San Diego, the average price is $5.26, which is 12 cents lower than last week, 71 cents lower than last month, and 24 cents lower than last year.

On the Central Coast, the average price is $5.21, which is 12 cents lower than last week, 73 cents lower than last month, and 28 cents lower than last year. In Riverside, the average per-gallon price is $5.04, which is 12 cents lower than last week, 79 cents lower than last month and 34 cents lower than a year ago. In Bakersfield, the $5.26 average price is eight cents lower than last week, 51 cents lower than last month, and 41 cents lower than a year ago today.

“Gas prices have now dropped to levels we have not seen since early August, but they are still about 60 cents more per gallon than the lowest 2023 prices at the start of this year,” said Auto Club Spokesperson Doug Shupe. “Many drivers should be able to find gas stations near them with prices near or under $4.50 a gallon. Use an online tool such as the free AAA Mobile app to search for the lowest pump prices near you.”

The Auto Club reminds drivers of the following tips to save money on gas:

• If you use premium unleaded fuel, make sure it is required for your vehicle, not just recommended. The Auto Club’s Automotive Research Center found that vehicles with recommended premium fuel performed safely with regular unleaded gasoline.
• Make sure your tires are properly maintained and inflated to the correct level.
• Maintain your car according to the manufacturer’s recommendations. Regular service will ensure optimum fuel economy.
• Avoid “jackrabbit” starts and hard accelerations. These actions greatly increase fuel consumption.
• Slow down and drive the speed limit. Fuel economy peaks around 50 mph on most cars, then drops off as speed increases. Reducing freeway speeds by 5 to 10 mph can increase fuel economy by as much as 14%.
• Use cruise control on the highway to help maintain a constant speed and save fuel. However, never use cruise control on slippery roads because you could lose control of the vehicle.
• Minimize your use of air conditioning.
• Avoid extended idling to warm up the engine, even in colder temperatures. It’s unnecessary and wastes fuel.
• Remove unnecessary and heavy items from your car.
• Minimize your use of roof racks and remove special carriers when not in use.
• Download the AAA App to find the cheapest gas prices near you. 

The Weekend Gas Watch monitors the average price of gasoline. As of 9 a.m. on Nov. 9, averages are:

LOS ANGELES – A tentative agreement has been reached between the screen actors guild (SAG-AFTRA) and the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers (AMPTP) which found common ground on residuals, higher minimum wages, and protections to an actor’s likeness against the use of AI.

Once the membership of the actors guild approves the agreement, the strike will end on Thursday, November 9, the guild announced in a statement. Specific details of the deal were not immediately disclosed by the negotiators.

“In a unanimous vote this afternoon, The SAG-AFTRA TV/Theatrical Committee approved a tentative agreement with the AMPTP bringing an end to the 118 day strike. The strike officially ends at 12:01 a.m. on Thursday, November 9. The tentative deal will go to the SAG-AFTRA National Board on Friday, November 10, 2023, for review and consideration. Further details will be released following that meeting,” SAG-AFTRA said in a statement.

The strike by the actor’s guild was the first in decades and followed the 2023 Writers Guild of America strike which ended on September 27, 2023.

Both the 2023 SAG-AFTRA and WGA strikes contributed to the biggest interruption to the American film and television industries since the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020.

As the longest strike in SAG-AFTRA history, its combined impact with the 2023 Writers Guild of America strike resulted in the loss of 45,000 jobs, and “an estimated $6.5 billion” loss to the economy of Southern California.

“For over 100 days, actors have been fighting for better wages and the health and pension benefits they deserve. This tentative agreement will benefit our economy statewide and kickstart a new wave of exciting projects. I am thankful that we can now get this iconic industry back to work, not only for our writers and actors, but also the more than two million workers who power our world-class entertainment sector,” said California Governor Gavin Newsom in a statement.

After the tentative agreement was reached between SAG-AFTRA & AMPTP, U.S. Senator Alex Padilla (D-Calif.) released the following statement:

“I’m glad to see SAG-AFTRA and AMPTP reach an agreement that will benefit working actors and get our entertainment industry back in action. From increased wages to establishing new rules for the use of artificial intelligence and increasing residual payments for shows streamed online, this contract is a win for all workers in a rapidly evolving industry. Following historic deals for writers and directors, I look forward to seeing the SAG-AFTRA board and members ratify this agreement and get film and television productions rolling again.”

LOS ANGELES – U.S. daylight-saving time will end at 2 a.m. Sunday when clocks are set back one hour. With the time change and shorter daylight hours, the Auto Club of Southern California reminds drivers that the time change can disturb their sleep patterns and possibly cause drowsy driving, leading to dangerous conditions during darker evening commutes.

In a study by the AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety researchers found the impact of having drowsy drivers on the road is considerable. Researchers found that drivers who have slept fewer than five hours have a crash risk comparable to someone driving drunk. And missing just one to two hours of sleep can nearly double the crash risk.

The Auto Club recommends drivers adjust their habits behind the wheel and watch for children and others outdoors who will be less visible, especially during the first weeks of the time change. 

 “To reduce the risk of drowsy driving in the days following the time change, drivers should get at least seven hours of sleep before hitting the road,” said Auto Club spokesperson Doug Shupe. “AAA researchers have found that missing just one to two hours of sleep can nearly double the risk for a crash.”

Drivers should be aware that the morning sun may cause reflections off car windows, hoods or other metallic portions of automobiles and can be a serious hazard to drivers and pedestrians. In addition, children, pedestrians, joggers, walkers and bicyclists could be much less visible in the evenings.

The Auto Club recommends vehicle owners take the time to restore or replace deteriorated headlight lenses. With 50% of crashes occurring at night, drivers should check their headlights for signs of deterioration and invest in new headlights or, at a minimum, a low-cost headlight cleaning and restoration kit to boost the safety of driving after dark. Headlights can show signs of deterioration after three years but most commonly by year five.

The Auto Club recommends the following tips:

Pedestrians

• See and be seen – drivers need to see you to avoid you.
• Make eye contact with drivers when crossing streets.
• Wear bright colors or reflective clothing at night.
• Carry a flashlight when walking or walking pets in the dark.
• Walk on the sidewalk. If there are no sidewalks, walk facing traffic.

Drivers

• Do not rely on your body to provide warning signs for drowsiness. Instead prioritize getting at least seven hours of sleep before hitting the road.
• Travel at times of the day when you are normally awake.
• Avoid heavy foods.
• Avoid medications that cause drowsiness or other impairment.

LOS ANGELES – Local gas price averages have dropped nearly $1 a gallon in the last month now that supply issues that caused prices to spike throughout September have been resolved, according to the Auto Club’s Weekend Gas Watch. 

The average price for self-serve regular gasoline in California is $5.21, which is 15 cents lower than a week ago. The average national price is $3.45, which is eight cents lower than a week ago.

The average price of self-serve regular gasoline in the Los Angeles-Long Beach area is $5.32 per gallon, which is 15 cents lower than last week, 97 cents lower than last month, and 25 cents lower than last year. In San Diego, the average price is $5.38, which is 14 cents lower than last week, 85 cents lower than last month, and 16 cents lower than last year.

On the Central Coast, the average price is $5.33, which is 18 cents lower than last week, 82 cents lower than last month, and 21 cents lower than last year. In Riverside, the average per-gallon price is $5.16, which is 19 cents lower than last week, 96 cents lower than last month and 27 cents lower than a year ago. In Bakersfield, the $5.34 average price is 12 cents lower than last week, 60 cents lower than last month, and 41 cents lower than a year ago today.

“Even though local gas price averages are still above $5 per gallon, most Southern California drivers should be able to fill up for around $4.50 a gallon by using an online tool such as the free AAA Mobile app to search for the cheapest gas,” said Auto Club Spokesperson Doug Shupe. “Some Northern California cities now have gas price averages under $5 a gallon, and hopefully this downward trend will continue to get Southern California average prices below that benchmark as well.”

The Auto Club reminds drivers of the following tips to save money on gas:

• If you use premium unleaded fuel, make sure it is required for your vehicle, not just recommended. The Auto Club’s Automotive Research Center found that vehicles with recommended premium fuel performed safely with regular unleaded gasoline.
• Make sure your tires are properly maintained and inflated to the correct level.
• Maintain your car according to the manufacturer’s recommendations. Regular service will ensure optimum fuel economy.
• Avoid “jackrabbit” starts and hard accelerations. These actions greatly increase fuel consumption.
• Slow down and drive the speed limit. Fuel economy peaks around 50 mph on most cars, then drops off as speed increases. Reducing freeway speeds by 5 to 10 mph can increase fuel economy by as much as 14%.
• Use cruise control on the highway to help maintain a constant speed and save fuel. However, never use cruise control on slippery roads because you could lose control of the vehicle.
• Minimize your use of air conditioning.
• Avoid extended idling to warm up the engine, even in colder temperatures. It’s unnecessary and wastes fuel.
• Remove unnecessary and heavy items from your car.
• Minimize your use of roof racks and remove special carriers when not in use.
• Download the AAA App to find the cheapest gas prices near you. 

The Weekend Gas Watch monitors the average price of gasoline. As of 9 a.m. on Nov. 2, averages are:

LOS ANGELES – The Automobile Club of Southern California wants everyone to celebrate safely this Halloween. Drivers, pedestrians, party hosts, and homeowners can all take steps to avoid many common hazards that occur over the holiday.

With Halloween falling on a weekday, drivers will need to take extra precautions as they commute home from work, while parents and trick-or-treaters as well as homeowners should also make safety a top priority.

“Don’t drive or walk under the influence of alcohol or drugs, including over-the-counter medicines that can impair driving,” said Anita Lorz Villagrana, the Auto Club’s community programs and traffic safety manager. “Also, avoid using hand-held devices, including mobile phones, while driving or walking. Everyone should prevent being ‘intexticated’ while out on Halloween night. Crashes occur primarily between six and seven p.m. during the evening commute home and while young children are going door-to-door.”

Tips for Drivers

• Avoid neighborhood shortcuts. If possible, avoid cutting through residential streets where trick-or-treaters are likely to be present. When providing directions to a party, try not to route guests through neighborhoods unnecessarily.
• Watch for children in the street. Watch for children walking on streets, medians and curbs. Excited trick-or-treaters, often in dark costumes, may not pay attention to traffic and cross mid-block or between parked cars.
• Slow down. According to the AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety, a pedestrian is more than twice as likely to be killed if they’re hit by a car traveling at 35 mph compared to 25 mph.  What seems like a small difference—just 10 mph—can be the difference between life and death.
• Drive sober.  Alcohol-impaired drivers make up about one-third of all motor vehicle deaths resulting in an average of one death every 45 minutes. Always designate a sober driver if you plan to drink.  

Parent/Pedestrian Tips

• Trick-or-Treat together.  AAA recommends that parents accompany young trick-or-treaters at least until the age of 12. 
• Review safety precautions with children. Include traffic safety rules in the review such as stay on the sidewalk, cross the street at crosswalks, avoid walking in front of, behind or between parked cars and stop at driveways to make sure no vehicles are coming in and out.
• Select highly visible costumes. Look for light, bright and reflective costumes that make trick-or-treaters easy to see. Add reflective tape to costumes and treat buckets and bags to increase visibility.
• Check costumes. Choose disguises that don’t obstruct vision and opt for non-toxic face paint instead of masks. Check and adjust the length of costumes to avoid tripping and add reflective material or tape to keep kids visible.
• Get a flashlight with fresh batteries. A flashlight can help trick-or-treaters see and be seen, but it should never be directed at someone’s eyes including those of passing motorists.
• Buckle up.  If driving trick-or-treaters between neighborhoods, always use appropriate car seats and have children exit and enter on the passenger side of the vehicle.

Homeowner Safety Tips

• Avoid using lit candles or open flames as decoration. These present a fire hazard as they can easily be knocked over by excited trick or treaters. Instead use LED products made by credible manufacturers. Ensure that all wires and connectors are in good shape and that no wires are exposed. Make sure that all smoke detectors are in good working order with fresh batteries.
• Ensure that walkways around your home are free of obstructions, such as water hoses, newspapers, garden tools, toys, rocks, and/or Halloween decorations. Also check to make sure sidewalks and porches do not have large cracks or uneven surfaces that could cause trick or treaters to fall.
• Secure your home since thieves may look for a window of opportunity while you’re away. Make sure all doors and windows are locked, your home is well lit, and if you have a home security alarm, activate it.

Halloween Party Tips

For those who plan to celebrate Halloween events, the Auto Club recommends the following to prevent driving while impaired by alcohol, marijuana or any substance that affects driving skills:

• Make plans to get home safely. If celebrating with alcohol, arrange for a designated driver, cab or ride sharing service to be available to and from the party location.
• Consider an overnight stay. If attending a party at a friend’s home, consider asking to stay overnight. If participating in festivities in a downtown or commercial area, look into hotel accommodations within walking distance.
• Have safe transportation options ready. If hosting a party with alcohol, compile a list of phone numbers including local cab companies and organizations offering designated driver services to have readily available should guests need a safe way home.
• Think about designated drivers and offer alternatives to alcohol. Plan to have non-alcoholic drink options available for designated drivers and others. Serve plenty of food so partygoers do not drink on empty stomachs. 

LOS ANGELES – Southern California drivers got more relief at the pump in the last week with double-digit gas price decreases, according to the Auto Club’s Weekend Gas Watch. The average price for self-serve regular gasoline in California is $5.36, which is 16 cents lower than a week ago. The average national price is $3.53, which is four cents lower than a week ago.

The average price of self-serve regular gasoline in the Los Angeles-Long Beach area is $5.47 per gallon, which is 20 cents lower than last week, 67 cents lower than last month, and 26 cents lower than last year. In San Diego, the average price is $5.52, which is 15 cents lower than last week, 55 cents lower than last month, and 17 cents lower than last year.

On the Central Coast, the average price is $5.51, which is 13 cents lower than last week, 46 cents lower than last month, and 21 cents lower than last year. In Riverside, the average per-gallon price is $5.35, which is 18 cents lower than last week, 63 cents lower than last month and 21 cents lower than a year ago. In Bakersfield, the $5.46 average price is 11 cents lower than last week, 31 cents lower than last month, and 41 cents lower than a year ago today.

“Most Southern California drivers should now be able to find gas stations near them charging less than $5 a gallon,” said Auto Club Spokesperson Doug Shupe. “Because gas prices are declining rapidly, the Auto Club strongly recommends using an online gas price shopping tool like the free AAA Mobile app to find the cheapest gas price near you and make sure you are not overpaying for fuel.”

The Auto Club reminds drivers of the following tips to save money on gas:

• If you use premium unleaded fuel, make sure it is required for your vehicle, not just recommended. The Auto Club’s Automotive Research Center found that vehicles with recommended premium fuel performed safely with regular unleaded gasoline.
• Make sure your tires are properly maintained and inflated to the correct level.
• Maintain your car according to the manufacturer’s recommendations. Regular service will ensure optimum fuel economy.
• Avoid “jackrabbit” starts and hard accelerations. These actions greatly increase fuel consumption.
• Slow down and drive the speed limit. Fuel economy peaks around 50 mph on most cars, then drops off as speed increases. Reducing freeway speeds by 5 to 10 mph can increase fuel economy by as much as 14%.
• Use cruise control on the highway to help maintain a constant speed and save fuel. However, never use cruise control on slippery roads because you could lose control of the vehicle.
• Minimize your use of air conditioning.
• Avoid extended idling to warm up the engine, even in colder temperatures. It’s unnecessary and wastes fuel.
• Remove unnecessary and heavy items from your car.
• Minimize your use of roof racks and remove special carriers when not in use.
• Download the AAA App to find the cheapest gas prices near you. 

The Weekend Gas Watch monitors the average price of gasoline. As of 9 a.m. on Oct. 26, averages are: