LA Auto Club: Gas Prices at Popular Destinations Remain Stable; Slight Increases in Some Areas; Slight Decreases in Others

    LOS ANGELES--June 7, 2002--The first week of June saw pump prices remaining relatively stable, with changes of less than a penny in most areas, according to the Weekend Gas Watch, compiled by the Automobile Club of Southern California.
    Average prices rose slightly in the L.A.-Long Beach area for the first time in eight consecutive weeks. 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 $1.574 per gallon, which is five-tenths of a cent higher than last week's price, 3.6 cents lower than last month's price and 44 cents lower than the price at this time last year.
    In San Diego, however, the price is $1.594, which is three-tenths of a cent lower than last week's level, 6 cents lower than last month and 42 cents lower than last year. Motorists in the central coast have an average price of $1.656, which is two-tenths of a cent above last week's price, 3 cents lower than last month's price and 37 cents lower than the price last year.
    "Prices are stable for the moment, and that's a good early indicator for summer drivers," said Auto Club spokesperson Carol Thorp.
    "The fact that world oil prices have flattened and that we've seen changes of less than a penny in either direction shows that prices may remain stable for the near term. Still, the world market can react negatively to any increased tension in the Middle East, so it's difficult to predict which direction prices will go during the summer."

Average prices as of 12:01 a.m., June 7:

Area                        Regular    Change from    Record Price
                                        last week

Los Angeles-Long Beach      $1.574      +0.5 cents    $2.036 (5/25/01)

San Diego                   $1.594      -0.3 cents    $2.025 (5/29/01)

Santa Barbara-Santa Maria-
Lompoc                      $1.656      +0.2 cents    $2.069 (5/16/01)

Las Vegas                   $1.496      +3.1 cents    $1.885 (3/27/00)

Phoenix-Mesa, Ariz.         $1.406      +1.1 cents    $1.720 (5/30/01)