Gasoline prices have risen for the third straight week, but at a slower rate, indicating that pump prices may be reaching a temporary plateau, according to the Automobile Club of Southern California's Weekend Gas Watch. Prices this week rose between 2 and 5 cents per gallon, while last week they spiked 15-16 cents in most areas.

The average price of self-serve regular gasoline in the Los Angeles-Long Beach area is $2.450, which is 4.6 cents higher than last week, 20 cents higher than last month and 47 cents higher than last year. In San Diego, the price is $2.506 -- 5 cents above last week's price, 21 cents above last month and 52 cents above last year. On the Central Coast, the average price is $2.592, up 3.1 cents from last week, 10 cents higher than last month and 49 cents higher than last year. In the Inland Empire, the average price is $2.476, up 5.3 cents from last week, 20 cents above last month and 50 cents higher than last year.