Southern California retail gasoline prices continued to weaken in early January, extending a downward trend that began late last year, according to the Auto Club's Weekend Gas Watch report.

As of Jan. 8, the statewide average price for regular self-serve gasoline stood at $4.23/gal, down 3cts from the prior week and 15cts lower than the same time last year.

In comparison, the national average is $2.81/gal, down 2cts week to week and 25cts lower than the same period of last year, marking the lowest U.S. average since March 2021, according to Auto Club data.

Prices across Southern California markets generally tracked the statewide decline. The Los Angeles - Long Beach average was $4.38/gal, down 5cts from a week earlier and 6cts lower than year-ago levels.

San Diego pump prices averaged $4.42/gal, also down 5cts week to week and 9cts year to year, while Orange County fell to $4.26/gal, down 5cts on the week and 13cts from last year.

Inland markets saw similar moves, with Riverside averaging $4.13/gal, down 3cts on the week and 19cts lower than a year ago.

Bakersfield was a notable exception, with retail prices rising 3cts from the prior week to $4.30/gal, though only 2cts above year-ago levels.

Along the Central Coast, Santa Barbara averaged $4.35/gal, down 3cts week to week and 9cts year to year, while Ventura averaged $4.34/gal, down 2cts from last year and 16cts lower than the same period last year.

The Auto Club said California pump prices have now declined for roughly two consecutive months in most areas, pushing the statewide average to the lowest level since June 2021.

"Several more Southern California gas stations are now charging less than $3.50 a gallon, and drivers should easily be able to find pump prices lower than $3.70 a gallon in most areas," said Auto Club spokesperson Doug Shupe.

Fuel demand for the West Coast, a region including the Rockies, was off by 6.9% for the week ended Dec. 27 compared to the same time last year, according to OPIS DemandPro data.

This content was created by Oil Price Information Service, which is operated by Dow Jones & Co. OPIS is run independently from Dow Jones Newswires and The Wall Street Journal.

   -Reporting by My Nguyen, mynguyen@opisnet.com; Editing by Michael Kelly,   mkelly@opisnet.com 
 

(END) Dow Jones Newswires

January 08, 2026 13:09 ET (18:09 GMT)

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