New Year's Eve, New Year's Day: Lowest Gas Prices In Encinitas

ENCINITAS, CA — The average gas price in San Diego County was at its lowest amount to end a year since 2020 this week, at $4.496 per gallon of self-serve regular gasoline, a year after being at its highest amount to end a year, $4.778.

In Encinitas, the lowest fuel prices were recorded at $3.99 per gallon at the Berri Brothers & 7-Eleven station on Coast Highway, according to www.GasBuddy.com.

The average price dropped to its lowest amount since Dec. 26, 2022, $4.449, on Dec. 19, but has risen 10 times in 12 days since then, increasing 4.7 cents, including nine-tenths of a cent Tuesday, according to figures from the AAA and Oil Price Information Service.

The average price is 1.6 cents more than one week ago but 3.3 cents less than one month ago and 28.2 cents lower than one year ago. It has dropped $1.939 since rising to a record $6.435 on Oct. 5, 2022.

The national average price rose 1.7 cents to $3.043, one day after in increase of one-tenth of a cent ended a streak of three consecutive decreases totaling 1.7 cents. It is two-tenths of a cent more than one week ago but 1.4 cents less than one month ago and 6.9 cents lower than one year ago.

The national average price has dropped $1.973 since rising to a record $5.016 on June 14, 2022.

"2024 will mark the second consecutive year of a decline in the national average," said Patrick De Haan, head of petroleum analysis at GasBuddy, which provides real-time gas price information from more than 150,000 stations.

"I expect the national average to remain mostly stable."