Auto Club: Gas Prices Increase By Double Digits In Most Areas

Southern California gas prices jumped by more than a penny a day over the last week as local refineries began the process of shipping the more expensive "summer blend" gasoline through distribution pipelines, according to the Auto Club's Weekend Gas Watch. California's $4.39 average statewide price is 13 cents higher than last week and 11 cents lower than a year ago today. The average national price is $2.89, which is two cents higher than a week ago and 23 cents lower than on this date last year.

The average price of self-serve regular gasoline in the Los Angeles-Long Beach area is $4.46 per gallon, which is 11 cents higher than last week and 11 cents lower than last year. In San Diego, the average price is $4.50, which is ten cents higher than last week and nine cents lower than the price this time last year.

On the Central Coast, the average price is $4.36, which is six cents higher than last week and 17 cents lower than last year. In Riverside, the average per-gallon price is $4.30, which is 15 cents higher than last week and 13 cents lower than a year ago. In Bakersfield, the $4.33 average price is eight cents higher than last week and three cents lower than a year ago today.

"April 1 is the deadline by which Southern California gas stations have to start selling summer-blend gasoline to meet air quality requirements, but refineries start producing and shipping summer blend at the end of January to make sure they meet that deadline," said Auto Club spokesperson Doug Shupe. "Summer-blend gasoline is more expensive to produce, which increases prices at the pump. Additionally, a refinery closure in Northern California is currently underway, which will reduce gas production capacity statewide and is also expected to increase gas prices."

The Weekend Gas Watch monitors the average price of gasoline. As of 9 a.m. on Feb. 5, averages are: