Auto Club: SoCal Gas Prices Stop Climbing

Southern California gas prices held steady or declined in most areas over the past week after three weeks of increases, according to the Auto Club's Weekend Gas Watch. Today's statewide average for a gallon of regular gasoline is $5.62, which is two cents lower than last week and $1.12 higher than at this time last year. The national average is $4.06, which is three cents lower than last week and 89 cents higher than on this date last year.

The average price of self-serve regular gasoline in the Los Angeles-Long Beach area is $5.68 per gallon, which is two cents lower than last week and $1.22 higher than a year ago. In San Diego, the average price is $5.72, which is one cent less than last week and $1.17 higher than this time last year.

On the Central Coast, the average price is $5.70, which is the same as last week and $1.24 higher than a year ago. In Riverside, the average price per gallon is $5.57, two cents lower than last week and $1.26 higher than a year ago. In Bakersfield, the $5.66 average is one cent higher than last week and $1.20 higher than one year ago.

"Oil prices are now below $82 a barrel and that has helped to push down prices at the pump," said Auto Club spokesperson Kandace Redd. "It appears the downward price trend could continue in coming days if oil prices stay lower and supply remains steady."

The Weekend Gas Watch monitors the average price of gasoline. As of 9 a.m. on Aug. 6, averages are: