L.A.Auto Club: Retail Gas Prices Inch Downward Despite International Uncertainty

    LOS ANGELES--Sept. 27, 2002--Gasoline prices slipped lower in Southern California last week, despite recent increases in wholesale gasoline and crude oil prices, 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 $1.596 per gallon, which is about 2 cents lower than last week's price, 2 cents lower than last month and the same price as last year.
    In San Diego the price is $1.651 which is nine-tenths of a cent lower than last week's level, six-tenths of a cent lower than last month and 7.2 cents lower than last year. Motorists in the central coast have an average price of $1.693, which is six-tenths of a cent below last week's price, 1.2 cents lower than last month and 1.7 cents lower than last year.
    "Crude oil and wholesale prices have increased in the past week due to anticipated Middle East volatility," said Carol Thorp, Auto Club spokesperson. "Unless tensions ease, motorists could expect to see retail gasoline prices increase."

Average prices as of 12:01 a.m., Sept. 27:

Area                        Regular    Change from    Record Price
                                        last week

Los Angeles-Long Beach      $1.596      -2.0 cents    $2.036 (5/25/01)

San Diego                   $1.651      -0.9 cents    $2.025 (5/29/01)

Santa Barbara-Santa Maria-
Lompoc                      $1.693      -0.6 cents    $2.069 (5/16/01)

Las Vegas                   $1.476      -0.5 cents    $1.885 (3/27/00)

Phoenix-Mesa, Ariz.         $1.410      -0.8 cents    $1.720 (5/30/01)