Northern California Gas Prices at Record Levels; Bay Area Sees 9 Cent Increase
SAN FRANCISCO--May 15, 2001--Northern California motorists continued to feel the pain of record level gas prices, according to AAA's monthly gas survey released today.The average price for a gallon of regular unleaded self-serve gas in Northern California is $1.98, up 8 cents from April and the highest since last November, according to AAA's monthly gas survey. The Bay Area average is $2.02, up 9 cents from last month. In one month, the national average vaulted 13 cents to a new record high of $1.72.
"This does not bode well for the summer driving season," said Bronwyn Hogan, AAA spokeswoman. "Prices traditionally go up around Memorial Day, and they will only increase from these record levels."
Southern California reports an average of $2.00, up 21 cents, with Los Angeles at $2.01, up 28 cents. The town of Blythe, in Riverside County, has the highest gas prices in the state, at $2.17 per gallon. The California average jumped 16 cents from last month, and climbed to two dollars a gallon.
"Motorists deserve some relief at the pump," continued Hogan. "These soaring and erratic gas prices might be curtailed with the creation of a national energy policy, and the adoption of a single fuel formulation based on the most environmentally friendly formula."
Established 100 years ago, AAA offers a wide array of automotive, travel, insurance and financial services. The California State Automobile Association serves 4 million members and is the second largest regional affiliate of the national AAA organization. AAA's Daily Fuel Gauge Report is the most comprehensive retail gasoline survey available, with over 60,000 self-serve stations surveyed daily every day. Data is provided in cooperation with OPIS Energy Group and Wright Express, LLC.
For additional information and detailed analysis, please contact Bronwyn Hogan at 415/565-2293 or 415/560-2875.
AAA Monthly Gas Price Averages, May 15, 2001 City/State Reg. CHANGE Nor. Calif. 1.98 up 8 cents Bay Area 2.02 up 9 cents Chico 1.90 up 6 cents Concord 1.95 up 9 cents Eureka 2.12 down 1 cent Fremont 2.01 up 10 cents Fresno 1.85 up 13 cents Lake Tahoe 2.03 up 7 cents Marysville 1.97 up 6 cents Modesto 1.92 up 10 cents Monterey 1.92 up 10 cents Oakland 2.03 up 10 cents Pleasanton 2.00 up 7 cents Redding 1.95 up 10 cents Sacramento 1.97 up 11 cents Salinas 1.89 up 9 cents San Francisco 2.13 up 11 cents San Jose 2.04 up 10 cents San Mateo 2.10 up 10 cents San Rafael 2.02 up 8 cents Santa Cruz 1.95 up 9 cents Santa Rosa 1.93 up 8 cents Stockton 1.99 up 10 cents Tracy 1.89 up 10 cents Ukiah 2.03 up 5 cents Vallejo 1.98 up 10 cents Yreka 2.10 up 1 cent Nevada 1.83 up 5 cents Carson City 1.80 Unch. Elko 1.68 up 9 cents Las Vegas 1.82 up 9 cents Reno 1.82 Unch. Sparks 1.79 Unch. Utah 1.59 up 9 cents Moab 1.70 up 6 cents Ogden 1.55 up 11 cents Orem 1.50 up 9 cents Provo 1.52 up 10 cents Salt Lake City 1.58 up 13 cents St. George 1.57 up 4 cents Sou. Calif. 2.00 up 21 cents Bakersfield 2.00 up 19 cents Los Angeles 2.01 up 28 cents Santa Barbara 2.04 up 9 cents California 2.00 up 16 cents National 1.72 up 13 cents
