LA Auto Club: So Cal Gas Prices Fall for Sixth Week

LOS ANGELES--Aug. 1, 2003--For the sixth consecutive week, gasoline prices in Southern California fell, giving summertime drivers more relief at the pump, according to the Automobile Club of Southern California's Weekend Gas Watch.

Currently, the average price of self-serve regular unleaded gasoline in the Los Angeles-Long Beach area is $1.674 per gallon, which is 2.8 cents lower than last week's price, 9.9 cents lower than last month and 8.4 cents higher than last year.

In San Diego, the price is $1.699 which is 2.2 cents below last week's level, 8.3 cents lower than last month and 8.5 cents above last year. Motorists in the central coast pay an average price of $1.780, which is 3.8 cents lower than last week's price, 11 cents lower than last month and 10.5 cents higher than last year.

"With OPEC countries maintaining their output quotas and regional refinery production problems behind us, gasoline prices should remain relatively flat for the duration of the summer," said Carol Thorp, spokesperson for the Automobile Club of Southern California.

The Weekend Gas Watch monitors the average price of gasoline at popular destinations for motoring trips. Average prices as of 12:01 a.m., Aug. 1, 2003:

Area                           Regular   Change from    Record Price
                                          last week

Los Angeles-Long Beach         $1.674    -2.8 cents   $2.167 (3/22/03)

San Diego                      $1.699    -2.2 cents   $2.211 (3/20/03)

Santa Barbara-Santa Maria-
Lompoc                         $1.780    -3.8 cents   $2.207 (3/22/03)

Las Vegas                      $1.639    -2.1 cents   $2.063 (3/25/03)

Phoenix, Ariz.                 $1.540    -2.6 cents   $2.003 (3/22/03)