The Automobile Club of Southern California announced that regional fuel costs have sustained a four-week climb.
This continued increase in gasoline prices affects drivers across Southern California, with many local areas experiencing higher costs at the pump. According to a press release from the Automobile Club of Southern California, most local areas experienced a fourth week of rising fuel costs, pushing the state average to $4.59 per gallon. While the national average dipped to $2.92, prices in Los Angeles, San Diego, and other Southern California hubs increased by as much as seven cents over the past week. However, current rates in these regions are still 16 to 23 cents below last year’s prices, maintaining a year-over-year decline despite the monthly surge according to the press release.
As of Feb. 19, regular gasoline prices in Riverside and San Bernardino both reflect a five-cent weekly increase, with Riverside averaging $4.484 and San Bernardino averaging $4.460 per gallon. Mid-grade and premium fuels currently sit at $4.728 and $4.900 in Riverside, respectively, while San Bernardino averages $4.682 for mid-grade and $4.857 for premium. Diesel costs have also climbed to $4.951 in Riverside and $4.973 in San Bernardino. Despite these recent hikes and a significant jump from last month’s averages, regular fuel prices in both regions remain approximately 18 to 21 cents lower than the levels recorded on this same date in 2025 according to AAA.
“The gas price increases we have been seeing are typical for this time of year in Southern California as refineries undergo planned and unplanned maintenance while gasoline demand starts increasing, leading to upward price pressure,” said Auto Club spokesperson Kandace Redd according to a press release by the Automobile Club of Southern California.
The Automobile Club of Southern California is part of the American Automobile Association (AAA) national federation and provides services to members across multiple counties including Inyo, Imperial, Kern, Los Angeles, Mono, Orange, Riverside, San Bernardino, San Diego, San Luis Obispo, Santa Barbara, Tulare, and Ventura counties. AAA was founded in 1902 with about 1,500 members and has expanded into a federation serving over 65 million members across North America through roadside assistance programs as well as insurance products and travel resources according to its official website.
