The Auto Club

Gas prices took their biggest nosedive ever over the past month, plunging by about 25 percent or an average of three cents a day in most of Southern California, according to the Automobile Club of Southern California monthly Fuel Gauge Report.

The Southern California November average price for regular self-serve gasoline fell 88 cents to $2.569 from the October average of $3.449, and is now $2.02 below the all-time monthly record high of $4.585 set in July. In November 2007, the monthly Fuel Gauge Report average for Southern California was $3.355 – 79 cents higher than the current monthly average.

The statewide average price of $2.522 is nearly 94 cents lower than the October average of $3.457. The state’s lowest average price is in Stockton, where regular sells for $2.191. Bishop has the highest price average in the state at $3.119.

Nationally, the average price of $2.220 also has plunged by 94 cents from the October average of $3.163. Alaska has the highest state average price at $3.361, and Missouri has the lowest state average price, at $1.915. Four states now have price averages below $2 a gallon, and only Alaska and Hawaii have averages above $3.

“With gas prices that are nearly 25 percent cheaper than this time last year, Thanksgiving travel will be a more affordable option for many families,” said Auto Club spokesperson Jeffrey Spring.