The Automobile Club of Southern California has announced a slight increase in gas prices across many areas of Southern California over the past week, marking a reversal from the summer’s previous downward trend.
According to the Automobile Club of Southern California, as of August 21, the statewide average for self-serve regular gasoline remains at $4.49 per gallon. This figure is unchanged from the preceding two weeks and is 10 cents lower than last year. Meanwhile, the national average stands at $3.13, reflecting a decrease of three cents from last week and 26 cents below last year’s level.
Local averages show variation: Los Angeles-Long Beach recorded $4.48 per gallon, up by two cents from last week but eight cents lower than last year; San Diego remained steady at $4.55, which is 11 cents below last year. On the Central Coast, gas averaged $4.43, down one cent from last week and 24 cents lower than last year. Riverside experienced a slight increase to $4.32, while Bakersfield saw a decline to $4.45; both figures are below their levels from one year ago.
Doug Shupe, an Auto Club spokesperson, said that “according to the Oil Price Information Service and California Energy Commission, gasoline inventories in the state rose over the past week,” which should help prevent significant increases in pump prices.
The Automobile Club of Southern California is part of the American Automobile Association (AAA) national federation and provides services across multiple counties in California including Inyo, Imperial, Kern, Los Angeles, Mono, Orange, Riverside, San Bernardino, San Diego, San Luis Obispo, Santa Barbara, Tulare, and Ventura. Founded in 1902 with approximately 1,500 members, AAA has grown into a federation serving over 65 million members across North America. It offers services such as roadside assistance and travel planning while also publishing travel guides and fuel price resources through regional clubs.
