Auto Club: California Has Third-Highest Weekly Gas Price Spike As Middle East Conflict Continues

California's 55-cent Thursday-to-Thursday gas price spike today is the third highest ever as the Middle East conflict continues to bring uncertainty to worldwide oil supplies, according to the Auto Club's Weekend Gas Watch. Today's statewide average for a gallon of regular gasoline is $5.36, a 55-cent jump from last week and 68 cents higher than at this time last year. The national average jumped by 34 cents in a week to $3.59, which is 51 cents higher than on this date last year.

The worst and second-worst statewide weekly gas price spikes from Thursday to Thursday were both in 2022 - on March 10, 2022 at the start of the Russia-Ukraine war, when prices spiked by 75 cents to $5.69; and on Sept. 29, 2022 when prices skyrocketed by 66 cents to $6.18 after California oil refineries announced they had insufficient summer blend gasoline to supply the state through the next month

The average price of self-serve regular gasoline in the Los Angeles-Long Beach area is $5.40 per gallon, 52 cents higher than last week and 73 cents higher than a year ago. In San Diego, the average price is $5.39 - 50 cents higher than last week and 71 cents higher than this time last year.

On the Central Coast, the average price is $5.24, up 51 cents from last week and 63 cents higher than a year ago. In Riverside, the average price per gallon is $5.29, 52 cents higher than last week and 78 cents higher than a year ago. In Bakersfield, the $5.26 average is 58 cents higher than last week and 66 cents higher than one year ago.

"Oil prices spiked over $100 a barrel on Monday and continue to be volatile as this conflict continues," said Auto Club spokesperson Kandace Redd. "California has experienced much higher price increases than other states because the majority of the state's gasoline is refined from foreign crude oil sources."

The Weekend Gas Watch monitors the average price of gasoline. As of 9 a.m. on March 12, averages are:

The Auto Club recommends these tips for drivers to save money on fuel:

• Optimize your fuel economy with steady speeds, no hard braking, and no "jackrabbit starts."
• Don't haul extra weight in the passenger compartment or trunk, which reduces fuel economy.
• Properly maintain your vehicle and keep tires properly inflated according to the pressure listed in your owner's manual, which will optimize fuel economy.
• Use the recommended fuel for your vehicle, and don't use mid-grade or premium unless it is specifically recommended in your owner's manual. AAA research shows the higher-grade fuel offers no extra benefit for vehicles that aren't required to use it.
• Look into discounts. AAA members who sign up for the Shell Fuel Rewards Program at AAA.com/Shell can save 30 cents a gallon on their first fill-up, and five cents a gallon on all other fill-ups. Other retailers such as grocery stores also offer fuel discount programs, and some credit cards offer gas discounts.
• If your household has more than one vehicle, use the most fuel-efficient one as much as possible.
• Consolidate errands to reduce mileage and avoid driving during peak hours when traffic congestion will reduce your fuel efficiency.