Potential good news for residents planning for their Independence Day travel: the cost of filling up gas tanks in Southern California has been dropping for more than two weeks as California’s gas tax raise takes effect July 1.
The average price of a gallon of regular gasoline in Los Angeles County decreased for the 17th consecutive day to $6.308, which is 6.4 cents less than one week ago but $2 higher than one year ago.
“Los Angeles wholesale gasoline prices have dropped to their lowest levels since May 20 as supplies have increased while demand has been affected by these very high pump prices,” said Doug Shupe, corporate communications manager of the Automobile Club of Southern California.
Starting July 1, the gas tax increases by 2.8 cents per gallon. It’s not clear whether it “will create a brief increase at the pump for drivers, or if the increase will just be canceled out by the continuing drop in gas prices,” Shupe said.
Orange County’s average price is 7.4 cents less than one week ago but 4.2 cents more than one month ago and $1.952 higher than one year ago.
In San Diego County, the average price dropped 2.1 cents to $6.232 for the 16th consecutive day, which is 6.7 cents less than one week ago but $1.965 higher than one year ago.
In the golden state, the average price is $6.270 which is far more than the national average of $4.842 as of July 1, according to the American Automobile Association’s report.
Nationwide, the average price is 8.4 cents less than one week ago but $1.719 higher than one year ago.
Gov. Gavin Newsom also announced on June 30 a $308 billion“Inflation Relief” plan, which includes $9.5 billion that will go directly to Californians of eligible income levels—below $500,000 for dual-income households and below $250,000 for single taxpayers—by late October. Each can receive up to $1,050.
Earlier this year, Newsom proposed suspending the gas tax increase, which was stuck in the Legislature and did not make the May 1 deadline.
