Dana Point Gas Prices Fall, Where To Fill Up Wednesday

DANA POINT, CA — The average price of a gallon of self-serve regular gasoline in Orange County decreased Tuesday for the 49th consecutive day since rising to a record, dropping 2.2 cents to $5.522, its lowest amount since March 8.

It has decreased 88.6 cents over the past 49 days, including a half-cent Monday. The run of dropping prices follows a 17-day streak of increases totaling 35.1 cents.

In Dana Point, the closest cheap place to find gas Tuesday was located at the Arco station on Pacific Coast Highway at $5.39 per self-serve regular gallon of gas.

The Orange County average price is 14.3 cents less than one week ago and 68.2 cents lower than one month ago, but $1.175 more than one year ago. It has dropped 88.8 cents since rising to a record $6.41 June 12.

The national average price dropped for the 49th consecutive day following an 18-day streak of increases, decreasing 2.3 cents to $4.189. It has dropped 82.7 cents since rising to a record $5.016 on June 14, including eight- tenths of a cent Monday, after rising 41.5 cents during the 18-day streak of increases.

The national average price is 13.8 cents less than one week ago and 63.3 cents lower than one month ago, but $1.013 more than one year ago.

"We know that most American drivers have made significant changes in their driving habits to cope with high gas prices," said Andrew Gross, an AAA national public relations manager. "But with gas below $4 a gallon at nearly half of the gas stations around the country, it's possible that gas demand could rise."

A survey of 1,002 adults conducted June 23-27 found that 64% of those surveyed changed their driving habits or lifestyle in order to offset increases in gas prices since they started to spike this spring. The top two changes were driving less and combining errands.

City News Service contributed to this report.