Auto Club: Local Gas Prices Drop Slightly

A few more Southern California gas stations began posting regular unleaded prices under $5 a gallon this week as prices dropped locally for the second week in a row, according to the Auto Club's Weekend Gas Watch. Today's statewide average for a gallon of regular gasoline is $5.58, which is four cents lower than last week and $1.09 higher than at this time last year. The national average is $4.07, which is one cent higher than last week and 92 cents higher than on this date last year.

The average price of self-serve regular gasoline in the Los Angeles-Long Beach area is $5.65 per gallon, which is three cents lower than last week and $1.19 higher than a year ago. In San Diego, the average price is $5.68, which is four cents less than last week and $1.13 higher than this time last year.

On the Central Coast, the average price is $5.66, which is four cents lower than last week and $1.24 higher than a year ago. In Riverside, the average price per gallon is $5.53, four cents lower than last week and $1.23 higher than a year ago. In Bakersfield, the $5.64 average is two cents lower than last week and $1.17 higher than one year ago.

"Oil prices rose during the last week due to Middle East supply concerns, but have dropped today on news of higher U.S. inventories and lower demand forecasts for the coming weeks and months," said Auto Club spokesperson Kandace Redd. "There are now a few dozen gas stations throughout Southern California with prices lower than $5 a gallon. Use a free online shopping tool such as the AAA Mobile app to find the least expensive gas prices near you."

The Weekend Gas Watch monitors the average price of gasoline. As of 9 a.m. on Aug. 13, averages are: