Automobile Club of Southern California
05/14/2026 | Press release | Distributed by Public on 05/14/2026 11:17
Auto Club: Gas Prices Remain Elevated As Summer Travel Season Approaches
Southern California drivers are feeling the squeeze as travel demand is set to reach record levels next week, with motorists facing the highest Memorial Day gas prices in four years. Gas prices across the region remain elevated compared to last year, with regional averages showing mixed week-to-week movement, according to the Auto Club's Weekend Gas Watch.
Today's statewide average for a gallon of regular gasoline is $6.14, down two cents from last week and $1.22 higher than at this time last year. The national average stands at $4.53, down two cents from a week ago and $1.35 higher than this time last year.
The average price of self-serve regular gasoline in the Los Angeles-Long Beach area is $6.22 per gallon, down two cents from last week and $1.40 higher than a year ago. In San Diego, the average price is $6.17, three cents lower than last week and $1.34 higher than a year ago.
On the Central Coast, the average price is $6.09, unchanged from last week and $1.31 higher than a year ago. In Riverside, the average price per gallon is $6.07, down two cents from last week and $1.39 higher than a year ago. In Bakersfield, the average price is $6.06, up one cent from last week and $1.31 higher than a year ago.
"As the conflict in Iran continues, we are seeing ongoing volatility in global oil markets, contributing to fluctuations in gasoline prices at the pump," said Auto Club spokesperson Kandace Redd. "In addition, demand typically increases as we head into the summer driving season. While conditions continue to shift, drivers can take simple steps to improve fuel efficiency and manage costs. These include keeping tires properly inflated, avoiding aggressive acceleration and excessive idling, reducing vehicle weight by removing unnecessary items, and planning trips to combine errands. These small adjustments can help motorists stretch each gallon a little further."
The Weekend Gas Watch monitors the average price of gasoline. As of 9 a.m. on May 14, averages are:
Automobile Club of Southern California published this content on May 14, 2026, and is solely responsible for the information contained herein. Distributed via Public Technologies (PUBT), unedited and unaltered, on May 14, 2026 at 17:17 UTC. If you believe the information included in the content is inaccurate or outdated and requires editing or removal, please contact us at [email protected]