LOS ANGELES – Gas price drops slowed to a trickle in Southern California over the last week as travelers finalize their plans for the upcoming Memorial Day holiday and the start of the summer travel season, according to the Auto Club’s Weekend Gas Watch.

The average price for self-serve regular gasoline in California is $4.79, which is two cents lower than last week. The average national price is $3.54, which is unchanged from a week ago.

The average price of self-serve regular gasoline in the Los Angeles-Long Beach area is $4.83 per gallon, which is two cents lower than last week, 12 cents lower than last month, and $1.26 lower than last year. In San Diego, the average price is $4.82, which is one cent less than last week, 12 cents lower than last month, and $1.20 lower than last year.

On the Central Coast, the average price is $4.83, which is one cent lower than last week, nine cents lower than last month, and $1.21 lower than last year. In Riverside, the average per-gallon price is $4.76, which is one cent lower than last week, 11 cents lower than last month and $1.22 lower than a year ago. In Bakersfield, the $4.81 average price is two cents lower than last week, eight cents lower than last month, and $1.15 lower than a year ago today.

“The Auto Club projected this week that this Memorial Day weekend, travel by Southern Californians is expected to be slightly higher than it was in 2019 before the pandemic,” said Auto Club spokesperson Doug Shupe. “If that trend holds for summer travel, we expect demand for gasoline to be higher. Local refineries have less gas production capacity than in prior years due to conversions to producing cleaner fuels such as biodiesel, which means that local supply may need more imports from other countries to meet demand.”

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 May 18, averages are:

LOS ANGELES – Lower oil prices and economic concerns are continuing to push down gas prices locally and nationally, according to the Auto Club’s Weekend Gas Watch. The average price for self-serve regular gasoline in California is $4.81, which is four cents lower than last week. The average national price is $3.54, which is three 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 three cents lower than last week, nine cents lower than last month, and $1.04 lower than last year. In San Diego, the average price is $4.83, which is four cents less than last week, ten cents lower than last month, and $1.02 lower than last year.

On the Central Coast, the average price is $4.84, which is four cents lower than last week, five cents lower than last month, and $1.02 lower than last year. In Riverside, the average per-gallon price is $4.77, which is three cents lower than last week, seven cents lower than last month and $1.04 lower than a year ago. In Bakersfield, the $4.83 average price is three cents lower than last week, five cents lower than last month, and $1 lower than a year ago today.

“As we head toward Memorial Day and into summer, traditionally demand has increased and often gas prices increase as well,” said Auto Club spokesperson Doug Shupe. “It remains to be seen if that will happen this year.”

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 May 11, averages are:

LOS ANGELES – Concerns about the U.S. and global economy have pushed oil prices downward, leading to drops at the pump both locally and across the country, according to the Auto Club’s Weekend Gas Watch. The average price for self-serve regular gasoline in California is $4.85, which is three cents lower than last week.

The average national price is $3.57, 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 $4.88 per gallon, which is four cents lower than last week, one cent lower than last month, and 95 cents lower than last year. In San Diego, the average price is $4.87, which is three cents less than last week, three cents lower than last month, and 93 cents lower than last year.

On the Central Coast, the average price is $4.88, which is one cent lower than last week, two cents higher than last month, and 95 cents lower than last year. In Riverside, the average per-gallon price is $4.80, which is three cents lower than last week, one cent higher than last month and 96 cents lower than a year ago. In Bakersfield, the $4.86 average price is three cents lower than last week, five cents lower than last month, and 93 cents lower than a year ago today.

“With oil prices falling on recession fears and gasoline demand reportedly dropping across the country, Southern California drivers are seeing gas prices drop for the second consecutive week in most areas,” 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 May 4, averages are:

LOS ANGELES – Members of the Writers Guild of America officially will hit the picket lines Tuesday morning after weeks of failed negotiations with some of Hollywood’s biggest studios and streaming companies.

In a statement released late Monday before the midnight deadline when the current contract between the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers and the Writers Guild expired, Ellen Stutzman, Chief Negotiator along with WGA negotiating committee co-chairs David A. Goodman and Chris Keyser announced; “Our negotiation with the studios and streamers has failed to reach an agreement. We are on strike.”

Deadline’s Dominic Patton, who has been covering the WGA – AMPTP talks, reported:

Writers Guild of America leaders are saying Monday night that the guild was forced to go on strike at midnight PT because their proposals to the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers on core contract issues “fell on deaf ears.”

Money is a big issue — the guild is seeking a new contract that would increase pay and benefits by $429 million over three years, but says that the studios only offered $86 million. But preserving writing as a profession is an even bigger issue and goes to the core of what the strike is about.

Patton also described that in a phone interview with Deadline shortly after the contract negotiations broke off, WGA West president Meredith Stiehm, and WGA negotiating committee co-chairs David A. Goodman and Chris Keyser told Deadline the AMPTP “stonewalled” the guild from the very beginning of the negotiations on a “constellation” of proposals that guild members are demanding.

In the WGA statement, the Guild leadership laid out union concerns including how the companies’ business practices have slashed our compensation and residuals and undermined our working conditions.

The WGA negotiators also stated that “given the existential crisis writers are facing. The companies’ behavior has created a gig economy inside a union workforce, and their immovable stance in this negotiation has betrayed a commitment to further devaluing the profession of writing. From their refusal to guarantee any level of weekly employment in episodic television, to the creation of a “day rate” in comedy variety, to their stonewalling on free work for screenwriters and on AI for all writers, they have closed the door on their labor force and opened the door to writing as an entirely freelance profession. No such deal could ever be contemplated by this membership.”

The statement noted that the strike by the WGA West and WGA East against the AMPTP will begin on Tuesday, May 2, 2023 at 12:01 am PT/3:01 am ET. Picketing will begin Tuesday afternoon, according to the WGA West.

The AMPTP also issued a statement:

“The AMPTP presented a comprehensive package proposal to the guild last night which included generous increases in compensation for writers as well as improvements in streaming residuals,” the statement said.

“The AMPTP also indicated to the WGA that it is prepared to improve that offer, but was unwilling to do so because of the magnitude of other proposals still on the table that the guild continues to insist upon. The primary sticking points are mandatory staffing and duration of employment, guild proposals that would require a company to staff a show with a certain number of writers for a specified period of time, whether needed or not.

The AMPTP member companies remain united in their desire to reach a deal that is mutually beneficial to writers and the health and longevity of the industry, and to avoid hardship to the thousands of employees who depend upon the industry for their livelihoods. The AMPTP is willing to engage in discussions with the WGA in an effort to break this logjam.”

In an interview with KABC 7 Los Angeles, Deadline’s Patton said both sides are dug in.

“The differences between the guild and the studios are significant,” he said. “Hundreds of millions of dollars that we’re looking at and completely different attitudes towards stuff like AI, stuff that’s almost completely insurmountable at this point.”

The last major strike against the studios occurred in 2007, with union members staying off the job for 100 days and grinding production to a standstill. According to various estimates from different organizations, that the 100-day strike cost the economy in Los Angeles County and Southern California between $2 billion and $3 billion.

Patton also noted: “All the people who provide services and goods to the film industry, vendors, they’re going to have no one to sell to. So this is going to have a blast radius throughout Los Angeles County probably pretty quickly.”

The immediate impact will be the late night television shows followed by scripted television productions and some film sets.

The Writers Guild also said in its statement calling for the walk-out:

“Here is what all writers know: the companies have broken this business. They have taken so much from the very people, the writers, who have made them wealthy. But what they cannot take from us is each other, our solidarity, our mutual commitment to save ourselves and this profession that we love. We had hoped to do this through reasonable conversation. Now we will do it through struggle. For the sake of our present and our future, we have been given no other choice.”

For their part, the AMPTP said its statement: “The primary sticking points are ‘mandatory staffing,’ and ‘duration of employment’ – guild proposals that would require a company to staff a show with a certain number of writers for a specified period of time, whether needed or not.”

The proposal as of May 1 before contract talks broke off:

 

LOS ANGELES – Southern California drivers are paying less at the pump this week, but local refinery production has dropped in the last couple of weeks and may limit further drops, according to the Auto Club’s Weekend Gas Watch. 

The average price for self-serve regular gasoline in California is $4.88, which is three cents lower than last week. The average national price is $3.64, 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 $4.92 per gallon, which is three cents lower than last week, seven cents higher than last month, and 85 cents lower than last year. In San Diego, the average price is $4.90, which is three cents less than last week, four cents higher than last month, and 83 cents lower than last year.

On the Central Coast, the average price is $4.89, which is two cents lower than last week, six cents higher than last month, and 90 cents lower than last year. In Riverside, the average per-gallon price is $4.83, which is three cents lower than last week, five cents higher than last month and 88 cents lower than a year ago. In Bakersfield, the $4.89 average price is the same as last week, also the same as last month, and 86 cents lower than a year ago today.

“Local refinery production is reportedly down for the last couple of weeks, but oil prices have retreated from the brief spike that happened after OPEC countries announced production cuts,” said Auto Club spokesperson Doug Shupe. “Given their current high levels near $5 a gallon in Southern California, it’s unlikely that gas prices will move drastically in either direction in the near future.”

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 April 27, averages are:

LOS ANGELES – Southern California gas prices are up for the week in most areas, but some have begun dropping on news of increased supply and lower oil prices, according to the Auto Club’s Weekend Gas Watch. The average price for self-serve regular gasoline in California is $4.91, which is two cents higher than last week.

The average national price is $3.69, which is four cents higher 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 one cent higher than last week, seven cents higher than last month, and 84 cents lower than last year. In San Diego, the average price is $4.93, which is one cent less than last week, four cents higher than last month, and 83 cents lower than last year.

On the Central Coast, the average price is $4.91, which is one cent higher than last week, six cents higher than last month, and 90 cents lower than last year. In Riverside, the average per-gallon price is $4.86, which is two cents higher than last week, five cents higher than last month and 86 cents lower than a year ago. In Bakersfield, the $4.89 average price is one cent more than last week, two cents less than last month, and 89 cents lower than a year ago today.

“Last week’s California Energy Commission report indicated a robust increase in refinery production and state gasoline supply, and oil prices have also dropped in the last week to put downward pressure on pump prices,” said Auto Club spokesperson Doug Shupe. “Southern California drivers are now paying slightly less than Phoenix-area drivers for gasoline, which is unusual. That’s because  gasoline is now averaging above $5 a gallon in some Arizona cities because of an ongoing supply issue in that state.”

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 April 20, averages are:

LOS ANGELES – Local gas prices have inched back up almost as high as they were a month ago because of continued higher oil prices, according to the Auto Club’s Weekend Gas Watch. The average price for self-serve regular gasoline in California is $4.89, which is four cents higher than last week. The average national price is $3.65, which is ten cents higher than a week ago.

The average price of self-serve regular gasoline in the Los Angeles-Long Beach area is $4.94 per gallon, which is four cents higher than last week, one cent lower than last month, and 89 cents lower than last year. In San Diego, the average price is $4.94, which is four cents more than last week, one cent lower than last month, and 85 cents lower than last year.

On the Central Coast, the average price is $4.90, which is two cents higher than last week, one cent lower than last month, and 95 cents lower than last year. In Riverside, the average per-gallon price is $4.84, which is four cents higher than last week, three cents lower than last month and 92 cents lower than a year ago. In Bakersfield, the $4.88 average price is two cents less than last week, four cents less than last month, and 93 cents lower than a year ago today.

“Oil prices are hovering above $80 a barrel after plunging to a one-year low point of $72 for Brent crude and $66 for West Texas Intermediate crude in mid-March,” said Auto Club spokesperson Doug Shupe. “Since oil costs make up about half the cost of producing gasoline, this has pushed up pump prices in California and around the country.”

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 April 13, averages are:

LOS ANGELES – Southern California gas prices ticked back upward slightly in the last week, according to the Auto Club’s Weekend Gas Watch. The average price for self-serve regular gasoline in California is $4.85, which is two cents higher than last week. The average national price is $3.55, which is six cents higher than a week ago.

The average price of self-serve regular gasoline in the Los Angeles-Long Beach area is $4.90 per gallon, which is three cents higher than last week, five cents lower than last month, and $1.04 lower than last year. In San Diego, the average price is $4.90, which is three cents more than last week, three cents lower than last month, and 99 cents lower than last year.

On the Central Coast, the average price is $4.88, which is three cents higher than last week, one cent higher than last month, and $1.02 lower than last year. In Riverside, the average per-gallon price is $4.80, which is two cents higher than last week, four cents lower than last month and $1.06 lower than a year ago. In Bakersfield, the $4.90 average price is two cents more than last week, seven cents higher than last month, and 94 cents lower than a year ago today.

“The weekend announcement of an oil production cut by OPEC countries has not yet affected prices at the pump, but it could do so if oil prices climb much higher,” 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 April 6, averages are:

LOS ANGELES – As the West Coast received more gasoline imports and Arizona fuel supply issues continue to affect local refineries, Southern California gas prices stopped dropping in most areas last week after two previous weeks of decreases, according to the Auto Club’s Weekend Gas Watch.

The average price for self-serve regular gasoline in California is $4.83, which is the same as last week. The average national price is $3.49, which is five cents higher than a week ago.

The average price of self-serve regular gasoline in the Los Angeles-Long Beach area is $4.87 per gallon, which is two cents higher than last week, three cents higher than last month, and $1.19 lower than last year. In San Diego, the average price is $4.87, which is the same as last week, two cents higher than last month, and $1.14 lower than last year.

On the Central Coast, the average price is $4.85, which unchanged from last week, eight cents higher than last month, and $1.13 lower than last year. In Riverside, the average per-gallon price is $4.78, which is one cent lower than last week, four cents higher than last month and $1.18 lower than a year ago. In Bakersfield, the $4.88 average price is the same as last week, 11 cents higher than last month, and $1 lower than a year ago today.

“A new report from the US Energy Information Administration shows that gasoline imports are at a 20-month high on the West Coast, according to Oil Price Information Service,” said Auto Club spokesperson Doug Shupe. “That factor is helping to kepp Southern California fuel supply plentiful at a time when some local refinery production is being redirected to Arizona to help resolve a supply crisis there.” 

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 March 30, averages are:

LOS ANGELES – Southern California gas prices continued dropping for a second week as oil prices stayed low and more local refinery production rates improved, according to the Auto Club’s Weekend Gas Watch.

The average price for self-serve regular gasoline in California is $4.83, which is six cents lower than last week. The average national price is $3.44, 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 $4.85 per gallon, which is six cents lower than last week, two cents higher than last month, and $1.17 lower than last year. In San Diego, the average price is $4.87, which is six cents lower than last week, four cents higher than last month, and $1.10 lower than last year.

On the Central Coast, the average price is $4.85, which is four cents lower than last week, nine cents higher than last month, and $1.08 lower than last year. In Riverside, the average per-gallon price is $4.79, which is five cents lower than last week, six cents higher than last month and $1.11 lower than a year ago. In Bakersfield, the $4.88 average price is two cents lower than last week, 14 cents higher than last month, and 94 cents lower than a year ago today.

“According to Oil Price Information Service (OPIS), the U.S. Energy Information’s Wednesday report revealed that West Coast refineries are now at their highest utilization rate in three months,” said Auto Club spokesperson Doug Shupe. “Oil prices are at their lowest level since December 2021, so that has also helped to drive down gas prices locally. However, a supply issue with Arizona gasoline could end up affecting Southern California prices, since local refineries produce some Arizona gasoline and some of their production could be diverted to alleviate that supply issue.” 

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 March 23, averages are: