California's average gas price tops $4 a gallon
The nationwide average could hit the same milestone within days, some analysts say.
California drivers just cruised past a dubious milestone, paying a statewide average of just over $4 a gallon for self-serve regular gasoline today, according to a daily survey of pump prices posted by AAA.
With Memorial Day weekend car trips looming, the California average price edged higher overnight by two-tenths of a cent to hit a record $4.005 a gallon, the electronic survey found. The average is up 14 cents from a month ago and 56 cents from a year ago. The state's average diesel price also set a record today at $4.894 a gallon.
Prices are worse in some other states -- an unusual shift in fortunes because California's unique cleaner-burning gasoline is often the nation's most expensive since few refineries outside the state make the special blend.
Alaska is the U.S. price leader at $4.133 a gallon for self-serve regular, followed by New York at $4.019 and Illinois, which is tied with California at $4.005. The nationwide average is $3.831. A year ago, the U.S. average was $3.221. The survey data, supplied to the auto group by Oil Price Information Service, is derived from credit card transactions at more than 85,000 stations around the country.
Analysts see little relief from the unprecedented surge in fuel prices, which some say could top $4 a gallon nationwide in the next several days.
Fuel prices are being propelled largely by the runaway cost of crude oil. After reaching an intraday trading record of $135.09, crude oil for July delivery fell $2.36 to $130.81 a barrel on the New York Mercantile Exchange.
nancy.rivera.brooks@latimes.com
