Auto Club: Gas Prices Surge Before Labor Day Holiday

Southern California gas prices surged by double digits this past week ahead of the final holiday of the summer, according to the Auto Club's Weekend Gas Watch. Today's statewide average for a gallon of regular gasoline is $5.78, which is 15 cents higher than last week and $1.18 higher than at this time last year. The national average is $4.14, which is five cents higher than last week and 95 cents higher than on this date last year.

The average price of self-serve regular gasoline in the Los Angeles-Long Beach area is $5.83 per gallon, which is 13 cents higher than last week and $1.20 higher than a year ago. In San Diego, the average price is $5.89, which is 15 cents more than last week and $1.20 higher than this time last year.

On the Central Coast, the average price is $5.78, which is nine cents higher than last week and $1.16 higher than a year ago. In Riverside, the average price per gallon is $5.71, 13 cents higher than last week and $1.23 higher than a year ago. In Bakersfield, the $5.75 average is ten cents higher than last week and $1.21 higher than one year ago.

"Even the least expensive gas stations in Southern California are now over $5 a gallon for regular unleaded," said Auto Club spokesperson Kandace Redd. "Supply issues locally along with continued oil supply uncertainty worldwide are pushing up pump prices. Labor Day travelers can expect to spend about $18 to $24 more to fill up their tanks this weekend compared to last year's holiday. The Auto Club recommends shopping around for the cheapest gas prices using a free tool like the AAA Mobile app."

The Weekend Gas Watch monitors the average price of gasoline. As of 9 a.m. on Sept. 3, averages are: