Auto Club: Gas Prices Drop As ‘Winter Blend’ Gas Switch Nears

Gas prices dropped by four or five cents in most Southern California areas in the past week, according to the Auto Club's Weekend Gas Watch. The average price for self-serve regular gasoline in California is $4.61, which is five cents lower than a week ago. The average national price is $3.15, which is four cents lower than a week ago.

The average price of self-serve regular gasoline in the Los Angeles-Long Beach area is $4.55 per gallon, which is four cents less than last week and 99 cents less than last year. In San Diego, the average price is $4.63, which is four cents lower than last week and 95 cents lower than this time last year.

On the Central Coast, the average price is $4.61, which is four cents lower than last week and 94 cents lower than last year. In Riverside, the average per-gallon price is $4.41, which is four cents lower than last week and 99 cents lower than a year ago. In Bakersfield, the $4.54 average price is four cents less than last week and 95 cents lower than a year ago today.

"We are entering the time of year when gasoline demand typically drops, and on Nov. 1, Southern California gas stations will be allowed to sell the winter-blend gasoline which is cheaper to produce and less expensive for consumers," said Auto Club spokesperson Doug Shupe.

The Weekend Gas Watch monitors the average price of gasoline. As of 9 a.m. on Oct. 24, averages are: