Gas prices posted mixed increases and decreases in different areas of Southern California over the past month, but mainly stayed within a nickel of their February levels, according to the Automobile Club of Southern California monthly Fuel Gauge Report.

The Southern California March average price for regular self-serve gasoline is almost identical to February, dropping by half a penny from $2.217 to $2.212. In March 2008, the monthly Fuel Gauge Report average for Southern California was $3.58 – $1.37 higher than the current monthly average.

The statewide average price of $2.204 is two cents lower than the February average of $2.226. The state’s lowest average price is in La Habra, where regular sells for $2.11. Tahoe City has the highest price average in the state at $2.599.

Nationally, the average price of $1.941 rose just over a penny from the February average of $1.928. Alaska has the highest state average price at $2.519, and Wyoming has the lowest state average price, at $1.743. Ten U.S. states have price averages higher than $2 a gallon.

“Gas prices have remained within close range of $2.25 a gallon in most areas over the past month,” said Auto Club spokesperson Jeffrey Spring. “At the moment, local gas prices are continuing to drop slightly each day.”