Auto Club: Southern California Gas Prices Continue To Climb Amid Global Oil Market Uncertainty

Southern California drivers are feeling the pain at the pump as gas prices continue to climb, driven in part by the conflict in the Middle East, disruptions in the Strait of Hormuz and higher crude oil prices, according to the Auto Club's Weekend Gas Watch.

Today's statewide average for a gallon of regular gasoline is $5.57, up 17 cents from last week and $1.09 higher than this time last year. The national average is $4.09, an increase of 15 cents from last week and 94 cents higher than one year ago.

The average price of self-serve regular gasoline in the Los Angeles-Long Beach area is $5.62 per gallon, up 17 cents from last week and $1.14 higher than a year ago. In San Diego, the average price is $5.64, an increase of 17 cents from last week and $1.08 higher than this time last year.

On the Central Coast, the average price is $5.65 per gallon, up 11 cents from last week and $1.18 higher than a year ago. In Riverside, drivers are paying an average of $5.49 per gallon, up 21 cents from last week and $1.17 higher than one year ago. In Bakersfield, the average price is $5.62 per gallon, up 9 cents from last week and $1.15 higher than this time last year.

"While higher gas prices can put a strain on household budgets, drivers can take a few simple steps to stretch every gallon," said Auto Club spokesperson Kandace Redd. "Keeping your tires properly inflated, avoiding rapid acceleration and hard braking, combining errands into one trip, and removing unnecessary weight from your vehicle can all help improve fuel efficiency and save money at the pump."

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