Auto Club: State Average, More Metro Averages Drop Below $6 A Gallon As Pump Prices Rapidly Decline

The statewide gas price average dropped below $6 a gallon this week for the first time since mid-September, and almost all Southern California metro areas could see price averages dip below $6 in coming days if pump prices continue to drop, according to the Auto Club's Weekend Gas Watch. Today's statewide average for a gallon of regular gasoline is $5.94, which is 14 cents lower than last week and $1.37 higher than at this time last year. The national average is $4.22, which is five cents lower than last week and $1.19 higher than on this date last year.

The average price of self-serve regular gasoline in the Los Angeles-Long Beach area is $6.01 per gallon, which is 14 cents lower than last week and $1.39 higher than a year ago. In San Diego, the average price is $6.03, which is 12 cents less than last week and $1.34 higher than this time last year.

In Santa Barbara-Santa Maria-Lompoc, the average price is $6.04, which is 11 cents below last week and $1.46 higher than a year ago. In Riverside, the average price per gallon is $5.81, 14 cents lower than last week and $1.31 higher than a year ago. In Bakersfield, the $6.10 average is eight cents lower than last week and $1.54 higher than one year ago.

"Gas prices in California have dropped by more than 40 cents in the past month, and Orange County, Ventura, Riverside and San Bernardino now have average prices below $6 a gallon," said Auto Club spokesperson Kandace Redd. "Worldwide oil prices have increased in the last two weeks due to continued supply volatility, so it is uncertain how long pump prices will continue to decline if that trend holds."

The Weekend Gas Watch monitors the average price of gasoline. As of 9 a.m. on Oct. 29, averages are: