LA Auto Club: Retail Gas Prices Drop for Fourth Consecutive Week

    LOS ANGELES--Dec. 13, 2002--Gasoline prices dropped throughout the southwest region for the fourth consecutive week 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 $1.541 per gallon, which is 2.3 cents lower than last week's price, 5.7 cents lower than last month and 45 cents higher than last year.
    In San Diego the price is $1.615 which is 2.4 cents lower than last week's level, 5.4 cents lower than last month and 33.7 cents higher than last year. Motorists in the central coast have an average price of $1.613, which is 2.1 cents below last week's price, 4.4 cents lower than last month and 41.6 cents higher than last year.
    "Ample supplies and a diminished threat of war in the Middle East continue to push prices downward," said Carol Thorp, Auto Club spokesperson. "Prices should remain stable throughout the holiday season, unless tensions increase overseas."

Average prices as of 12:01 a.m., Dec. 13:

Area                        Regular    Change from    Record Price
                                        last week

Los Angeles-Long Beach      $1.541      -2.3 cents    $2.036 (5/25/01)

San Diego                   $1.615      -2.4 cents    $2.025 (5/29/01)

Santa Barbara-Santa Maria-
Lompoc                      $1.613      -2.1 cents    $2.069 (5/16/01)

Las Vegas                   $1.416      -1.2 cents    $1.885 (3/27/00)

Phoenix-Mesa, Ariz.         $1.340      -1.3 cents    $1.720 (5/30/01)