Auto Club: Gas Prices Rise Slightly In Most Areas

Southern California gas prices inched up or remained stable over the past week, according to the Auto Club's Weekend Gas Watch. The average price for self-serve regular gasoline in California is $4.44, which is three cents higher than a week ago and five cents lower than a year ago today. The average national price is $3.13, which is also three cents higher than a week ago.

The average price of self-serve regular gasoline in the Los Angeles-Long Beach area is $4.49 per gallon, which is two cents more than last week and six cents less than last year. In San Diego, the average price is $4.52, which is the same as last week and five cents lower than this time last year.

On the Central Coast, the average price is $4.48, which is two cents higher than last week and seven cents lower than last year. In Riverside, the average per-gallon price is $4.35, which is one cent higher than last week and two cents lower than a year ago. In Bakersfield, the $4.29 average price is the same as last week and 30 cents lower than a year ago today.

"Oil Price Information Service reports that California gasoline production tumbled to its lowest level in the last year because of planned and unplanned refinery maintenance," said Auto Club spokesperson Doug Shupe. "Typically at this time of year, refineries conduct maintenance projects as they switch to producing the more expensive 'summer blend' of gasoline, which must be sold at local gas stations as of April 1."

The Weekend Gas Watch monitors the average price of gasoline. As of 9 a.m. on Jan. 23, averages are: