Gasoline prices dropped slightly this week after increasing for 14 consecutive weeks in Southern California, which has the highest gasoline prices in the United States.

But it was too soon to tell if prices would continue to decrease, the Automobile Club of Southern California said Friday.

The average price of a gallon of self-serve regular unleaded was 3.462 dollars in Los Angeles County Friday, 2 cents less last week, 15 cents more than last month and 6 cents more than at this time last year.

"The price decrease is probably barely noticeable to consumers when they're already paying so much for gas," Auto Club spokeswoman Carol Thorp said. "At least the numbers are heading in the right direction -- down. But it's still too early to tell if this is true relief or just a price plateau."

The Auto Club provided this breakdown of gasoline prices in selected portions of California and Nevada as of 12:01 a.m. Friday.

Source: Xinhua