Auto Club: Holiday Motorists Receive Gift of Lower Gas Prices; Trend Expected to Continue into 2002

    News/Travel Editors & Automotive Writers

	   LOS ANGELES--Dec. 21, 2001--The average price of
a gallon of gasoline inched closer to the one-dollar per gallon
threshold as prices declined for the 14th consecutive week
throughout Southern California, southern Nevada and Arizona, according
to Weekend Gas Watch, compiled by the Automobile Club of Southern
California. 
	   The Weekend Gas Watch monitors the average price of gasoline at
popular destinations for motoring trips.
	   Currently, the average price of self-serve regular unleaded
gasoline in the Los Angeles-Long Beach area is $1.041 per gallon,
which is four cents below last week's price. In San Diego the price is
$1.235, which is four cents lower than last week's level. Motorists in
the central coast have an average price of $1.158, that's 4.1 cents
below last week's price.
	   "Most holidays find gas prices going up," said Auto Club
spokesperson Jeff Spring. "That is not true this year. While the
average cost of gasoline is slightly above a dollar, consumers will
find many filling stations charging under a dollar for gasoline.
Prices as low as 90 cents a gallon have been reported. 
	   "If someone is planning a driving trip over the holidays, they can
expect prices at these low levels at least through the New Year
period."
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	   Average prices as of 12:01 a.m., Dec. 21:

Area                      Regular  Change from last week  Record Price

Los Angeles-Long Beach    $1.041       -4.0 cents         $2.036 (5/25)

San Diego                 $1.235       -4.0 cents         $2.025 (5/29)

Santa Barbara-Santa Maria-
Lompoc                    $1.158       -4.1 cents         $2.069 (5/16)

Las Vegas                 $1.137       -4.9 cents      $1.885 (3/27/00)

Phoenix-Mesa, Ariz.       $1.082       -3.9 cents         $1.720 (5/30)