Auto Club: Gas Prices Move Up Slightly In SoCal, Ending Two Months Of Drops; Northern California Refinery Closing In Coming Days

Southern California gas prices moved up slightly this past week in most areas, ending a two-month downward streak that had brought them to their lowest levels since 2021, according to the Auto Club's Weekend Gas Watch. California's $4.26 average statewide price is six cents higher than last week, but still 19 cents lower than a year ago today. The average national price is $2.87, which is two cents higher than a week ago and 25 cents lower than on this date last year.

The average price of self-serve regular gasoline in the Los Angeles-Long Beach area is $4.35 per gallon, which is one cent higher than last week and 15 cents lower than last year. In San Diego, the average price is $4.40, which is one cent higher than last week and 13 cents lower than the price this time last year.

On the Central Coast, the average price is $4.30, which is the same as last week and 16 cents lower than last year. In Riverside, the average per-gallon price is $4.15, which is three cents higher than last week and 21 cents lower than a year ago. In Bakersfield, the $4.25 average price is three cents higher than last week and nine cents lower than a year ago today.

"California's statewide gas price average and metro averages in Northern California increased more significantly than metro averages in Southern California because of an announcement that the Valero refinery in Benicia will be closing in the next week or two and not in April as previously expected, according to Oil Price Information Service," said Auto Club spokesperson Doug Shupe. "Although Southern California gas stations do not receive fuel from that refinery, the closure will affect the overall statewide supply of gasoline and increase the need for imported fuel, which is more expensive."

The Weekend Gas Watch monitors the average price of gasoline. As of 9 a.m. on Jan. 29, averages are: