Auto Club: Gas Prices Almost Recovered From November Spike

Gas price averages in most Southern California areas have dropped by about 20 cents in the last few weeks and are almost back to where they were before a 10-day spike in early November, according to the Auto Club's Weekend Gas Watch. The average price for self-serve regular gasoline in California is $4.51, which is five cents lower than last week and 12 cents higher than a year ago today. The average national price is $2.99, which is three cents lower than a week ago and four cents lower than on this date last year.

The average price of self-serve regular gasoline in the Los Angeles-Long Beach area is $4.66 per gallon, which is six cents lower than last week and 23 cents more than last year. In San Diego, the average price is $4.69, which is six cents lower than last week and 18 cents higher than the price this time last year.

On the Central Coast, the average price is $4.60, which is three cents less than last week and 17 cents higher than last year. In Riverside, the average per-gallon price is $4.48, which is nine cents lower than last week and 17 cents higher than a year ago. In Bakersfield, the $4.49 average price is six cents lower than last week and 13 cents higher than a year ago today.

"This is the typical time of year when gasoline demand drops, and pump prices usually drop as well in December," said Auto Club spokesperson Doug Shupe. "Nationally, the gas price average dropped below $3 a gallon this week for the first time since 2021."

The Weekend Gas Watch monitors the average price of gasoline. As of 9 a.m. on Dec. 4, averages are: