AAA:Two Percent Monthly Decline Gasoline but Prices 21 Cents Higher Than Last Year
SAN FRANCISCO--Feb. 13, 2001--AAA's latest monthly gas survey shows Northern California continues to benefit from declining prices at the pump, but the high cost of crude oil may mean the end of the ride to lower gas prices.The average price for a gallon of regular unleaded self-serve gas in Northern California is $1.68, down 3 cents from January and down 30 cents from September's record high, according to AAA's monthly gas survey. The Bay Area average is $1.75, down 3 cents from last month, but 25 cents higher than a year ago.
"While three cents less per gallon may help you buy a slightly bigger box of chocolates for your Valentine," said AAA spokeswoman, Bronwyn Hogan, "AAA continues to urge Northern California motorists to conserve fuel by planning trips, shopping for the best price, and using commute alternatives, especially during the electricity shortage."
The highest gas prices in Northern California are San Francisco and San Mateo, at $1.84 each, both down 4 cents. Southern California reports an average of $1.60, unchanged, with Los Angeles at $1.53, down a penny. The most expensive gas in Southern California is the border town of Blythe (pop. 21,450) , at $1.81, which is 3 cents less than San Francisco.
Fresno has the lowest gas in Northern California, at $1.53, down 2 cents, followed by Chico, $1.56, up 1 cent, and Marysville, $1.56, unchanged.
Ukiah, at $1.69, reports a 9-cent drop, the largest decrease in February for Northern California, followed by Modesto, ($1.58) down 6 cents; Salinas,($1.59), down 5 cents, and Oakland, ($1.76), also down a nickel.
AAA of Northern California) Gas Price Survey February 13, 2001 California and Nevada, both at $1.65, tie for the third most expensive regular unleaded gas in the country. Hawaii, at $1.98 has the highest gas in the U.S., followed by Alaska at $1.70.
The U.S. average for regular unleaded is $1.49, up 2 cents in the last month, and up 12 cents since last February. The states with the lowest regular unleaded gas in the country are Georgia at $1.37, and South Carolina and New Jersey, both at $1.40.
"You can't fine-tune oil prices," said Alan Kovski, Managing Editor of Energy Business Watch, "It's difficult for OPEC to get the crude oil prices exactly where they want, so they are trying for a midrange of around $30 per barrel. They know that high prices hurt customers and economies, but they are still worried about slumping prices."
AAA Monthly Gas Price Averages, February 13, 2001
CITY/STATE PRICE CHANGE
NOR. CALIF. 1.68 down 3 cents
BAY AREA 1.75 down 3 cents
CHICO 1.56 up 1 cent
CONCORD 1.64 down 2 cents
EUREKA 1.79 unchanged
FREMONT 1.75 down 1 cent
FRESNO 1.53 down 2 cents
LAKE TAHOE 1.76 down 1 cent
MARYSVILLE 1.56 unchanged
MODESTO 1.58 down 6 cents
MONTEREY 1.62 down 1 cent
OAKLAND 1.76 down 5 cents
PLEASANTON 1.75 down 3 cents
REDDING 1.58 down 3 cents
SACRAMENTO 1.62 down 3 cents
SALINAS 1.59 down 5 cents
SAN FRANCISCO 1.84 down 4 cents
SAN JOSE 1.74 down 4 cents
SAN MATEO 1.84 down 4 cents
SAN RAFAEL 1.79 down 3 cents
SANTA CRUZ 1.70 unchanged
SANTA ROSA 1.66 down 4 cents
STOCKTON 1.65 down 3 cents
TRACY 1.60 down 1 cent
UKIAH 1.69 down 9 cents
VALLEJO 1.68 down 4 cents
YREKA 1.70 down 1 cent
NEVADA 1.65 up 1 cent
CARSON CITY 1.52 down 1 cent
ELKO 1.54 down 6 cents
LAS VEGAS 1.61 down 4 cents
RENO 1.55 unchanged
SPARKS 1.54 unchanged
UTAH 1.41 down 1 cent
MOAB 1.50 down 12 cents
OGDEN 1.31 down 4 cents
OREM 1.32 down 1 cent
PROVO 1.30 down 8 cents
SALT LAKE CITY 1.39 up 2 cents
ST. GEORGE 1.48 down 5 cents
SOUTHERN CALIF. 1.60 unchanged
BAKERSFIELD 1.61 up 1 cent
LOS ANGELES 1.53 down 1 cent
SANTA BARBARA 1.81 up 1 cent
CALIFORNIA AVG. 1.65 unchanged
NATIONAL AVG. 1.492 up 2 cents
Light Sweet Crude: $30.34 up 1 cent
(NYMEX) from 1/16/01
Established 100 years ago, AAA offers a wide array of automotive, travel, insurance and financial services. The California State Automobile Association serves 4 million members and is the second largest regional affiliate of the national AAA organization. AAA's Daily Fuel Gauge Report is the most comprehensive retail gasoline survey available, with over 60,000 self-serve stations surveyed daily every day. Data is provided in cooperation with OPIS Energy Group and Wright Express, LLC.
