In third quarter 2011, California’s gasoline consumption declined 2.0%, with a total of 3.727 billion gallons of gasoline compared to 3.803 billion gallons of gasoline in the third quarter last year. In California, the average price of gasoline per gallon rose 74 cents to $3.88 in third quarter 2011, a 24% increase over third quarter 2010’s average price of $3.14 per gallon. Nationally, the average price of gasoline rose 92 cents to $3.69 in third quarter 2011, a 33% increase over last year’s US average price of $2.77 per gallon of gasoline in third quarter 2010.

In September 2011, California’s gasoline consumption decreased 2.1% to 1.211 billion gallons of gasoline compared to last year when 1.238 billion gallons of gasoline were consumed. September’s average price for a gallon of gasoline in California rose 91 cents to $3.97, a 30% increase compared to last September when the average price was $3.06 per gallon of gasoline. Nationally, the average price of a gallon of gasoline in September was up 91 cents to $3.67 per gallon, a 33% increase over the average price of a gallon of gasoline of $2.76 last year in September.

In the third quarter 2011, diesel consumption increased 6.6% to 713 million gallons compared to 669 million gallons in the third quarter 2010. In California, the average price of diesel fuel in third quarter 2011 increased 92 cents to $4.06, a 29% increase compared to $3.14 price per gallon of diesel in third quarter 2010. Nationally, the average price of diesel fuel in third quarter 2011 was up 93 cents to $3.87, a 32% increase over third quarter 2010’s average US price of $2.94 per gallon of diesel.

In September 2011, diesel consumption increased 7.0% for a total 261.9 million gallons compared to the total of 244.8 million gallons of diesel in September 2010. In California, the average price of a gallon of diesel fuel was up 92 cents to $4.06 per gallon in September 2011, a 29% increase over the average price of a gallon of diesel of $3.14 in September 2010. Nationally, the average price of a gallon of diesel was up 89 cents to $3.84 in September 2011, a 30% increase over the average US price of a gallon of diesel of $2.95 in September 2010.

Gasoline and diesel fuel figures are net consumption that includes the California State Board of Equalization’s audit assessments, refunds, amended and late tax returns and the California State Controller’s Office refunds. The State Board of Equalization is able to monitor gallons through tax receipts paid by fuel distributors in California. Figures for October 2011 are scheduled to be available at the end of January 2012. Figures for fourth quarter 2011 will be available at the end of March 2012.