Highest Fuel Prices This Year

Southern California gas prices reached their high for the year this week, with the average price for gallon of self-serve regular reaching $3.371 per gallon in the Long Beach-Los Angeles area.

That's 1.9 cents more than last week, five cents higher than last month, and 38 cents higher than last year, according to the Automobile Club of Southern California’s Weekend Gas Watch.  One factor is the continuing crisis in Egypt that's creating tension throughout the Mideast. 

“Unrest in the Middle East has become another component added into the mix of upward pressure on oil prices," said Auto Club spokesperson Jeffrey Spring. "But the fact remains that crude oil was already at high levels before the situation in Egypt because of higher worldwide demand.” 

Prices elsewhere in the region for a gallon a regular, self-serve:

San Diego: $3.368 - 2.3 cents more than last week, two cents above last month and 37 cents higher than last year.

Central Coast:  $3.419 - 3.2 cents more than last week, four cents above last month and 37 cents higher than last year.

Inland Empire: $3.352 - 2.1 cents higher than last week, four cents above last month and 37 cents higher than last year.

The stations currently selling the cheapest gas the Belmont Shore-Naples area are listed below. Local prices are according to AOL.autos.com and GasBuddy.com and reflect prices reported within the last 24 hours.

ARCO at 1001 Redondo (at 10th Street)

• Regular - $3.25
• Premium - $3.42

Vons Gas (3 cents less with membership) at 1818 Ximeno Ave. (at Atherton Street) 

• Regular - $3.27
• Premium - $3.47

ARCO at 1785 Bellflower Blvd. (at Atherton)

• Regular - $3.25
• Premium - $3.45

 ARCO at 2330 E. Junipero (at Seventh Street)

• Regular - $3.25
• Premium - $3.45

Go to http://autos.aol.com/cheap-gas-prices/ for more prices in the region. If you are planning a trip this weekend, go to http://www.gasbuddy.com/Trip_Calculator.aspx and plug in your travel plans to find out how much it will cost you.