LOS ANGELES, Sept. 8, 2009 — Southern California gas price averages have spent most of 2009 well under $3 a gallon, but now price averages have topped the $3 mark for two months in a row, according to the Automobile Club of Southern California monthly Fuel Gauge Report.

The Southern California September average price for regular self-serve gasoline is $3.104, four cents higher than the August average of $3.061. This month’s average price is 78 cents lower than last year’s September price average of $3.841.

The statewide average price of $3.11 is six cents higher than the August average of $3.052. This month Van Nuys has the state’s lowest average price at $3.019, while Eureka has the highest gas price average for the third month in a row at $3.351

Nationally, the average price of $2.578 is six cents lower than the August average of $2.643. Alaska surpassed Hawaii in the last month as the state with the most expensive September average price, at $3.394. Missouri has the lowest state average price at $2.298.

“Gas prices have come down nationwide in the past month, but unfortunately that trend hasn’t extended to Southern California,” said Auto Club spokesperson Jeffrey Spring. “California’s unique blend of gasoline has been trading at high prices on the wholesale and futures markets, driving up local pump prices even as most other states are experiencing price declines.”

In Southern California, the averages for regular and premium grades of gasoline are listed below:

County/City Unl 9/8
Unl 8/11
Pre 9/8
Pre 8/11

Imperial County

El Centro 3.089
3.036
3.579
3.119

Inyo County

Bishop 3.096
3.092
3.357
3.208

Kern County

Bakersfield 3.153
3.110
3.263
3.220

Ridgecrest 3.133
3.090
3.329
3.257

Los Angeles County

Alhambra 3.092
3.041
3.245
3.247

Arcadia 3.066
3.058
3.149
3.255

Burbank 3.101
3.072
3.281
3.280

Culver City 3.126
3.081
3.609
3.323

Glendale 3.108
3.047
3.277
3.265

Glendora 3.068
3.017
3.248
3.195

Inglewood 3.089
3.045
3.274
3.242

Lancaster 3.073
3.040
3.205
3.200

Long Beach 3.060
3.031
3.248
3.230

Los Angeles 3.110
3.069
3.290
3.252

Manhattan Beach 3.127
3.086
3.329
3.269

Montebello 3.075
3.048
3.319
3.227

Santa Clarita 3.127
3.101
3.299
3.314

Santa Monica 3.096
3.052
3.319
3.232

Van Nuys 3.019
2.991
3.172
3.132

Whittier 3.074
3.024
3.282
3.222

Woodland Hills 3.121
3.051
3.313
3.277

Orange County

Anaheim 3.066
3.021
3.247
3.227

Fullerton 3.020
3.010
3.205
3.183

Huntington Beach 3.073
3.066
3.248
3.241

La Habra 3.035
3.011
3.203
3.188

Laguna Beach 3.252
3.191
3.339
3.308

Newport Beach 3.157
3.110
3.339
3.323

San Clemente 3.130
3.100
3.322
3.322

Tustin 3.073
3.043
3.273
3.213

Riverside County

Blythe 3.184
3.177
3.199
3.492

Hemet 3.041
3.003
3.231
3.204

Palm Springs 3.087
3.042
3.369
3.272

Riverside 3.084
3.008
3.255
3.185

San Bernardino County

Redlands 3.088
3.049
3.246
3.233

San Bernardino 3.091
3.038
3.234
3.210

Victorville 3.083
3.037
3.225
3.174

San Diego County

Chula Vista 3.058
3.022
3.205
3.186

Del Mar 3.267
3.200
3.468
3.407

Escondido 3.080
3.031
3.225
3.210

Oceanside 3.075
3.050
3.234
3.278

San Diego 3.080
3.043
3.277
3.249

San Luis Obispo County

San Luis Obispo 3.186
3.102
3.352
3.257

Santa Barbara County

Lompoc 3.102
3.050
3.239
3.299

Santa Barbara 3.226
3.107
3.462
3.379

Santa Maria 3.126
3.065
3.328
3.257

Tulare County

Porterville 3.082
3.026
3.169
3.189

Visalia 3.127
3.058
3.311
3.222

Ventura County

Ventura 3.130
3.077
3.311
3.229

So. Calif. Avg. 3.104
3.061
3.290
3.248