Auto Club: Gas Prices Have Slight Bump Upward

    LOS ANGELES--April 12, 2002--Gasoline prices in Southern California rose only slightly from the week before, marking the 14th straight week that the average prices moved upward, according to the Weekend Gas Watch, compiled by the Automobile Club of Southern California.
    The Weekend Gas Watch monitors the average price of gasoline at popular destinations for motoring trips.
    Currently, the average price of self-serve regular unleaded gasoline in the Los Angeles-Long Beach area is $1.627 per gallon, which is one cent above last week's price, 24 cents higher than last month's price and eight cents lower than the price at this time last year.
    In San Diego the price is $1.675, which is nine-tenths of a cent higher than last week's level, 23 cents higher than last month and 19 cents lower than last year. Motorists in the central coast have an average price of $1.694, which is 1.8 cents above last week's price, 23 cents higher than last month's price and 20 cents lower than the price last year.
    "We've seen a roller coaster of ups and downs on the crude oil markets due to tensions in the Middle East but the net change has been negligible for our region," said Auto Club spokesperson Jeffrey Spring.
    "It's hard to know if we've reached a price plateau or if there will be further increases in the future. There is ample supply of gasoline and there appears to be no threat of a shortage into the spring and summer months."

    Average prices as of 12:01 a.m., April 12:

Area                      Regular Change from last week Record Price

Los Angeles-Long Beach     $1.627      +1.0 cents       $2.036 (5/25)

San Diego                  $1.675      +0.9 cents       $2.025 (5/29)

Santa Barbara-Santa Maria-
Lompoc                     $1.694      +1.8 cents       $2.069 (5/16)

Las Vegas                  $1.466      +4.1 cents    $1.885 (3/27/00)

Phoenix-Mesa, Ariz.        $1.327      +2.7 cents       $1.720 (5/30)