SCORCHING SUMMER GAS PRICES RECORD HIGHS LIKELY, EXPERTS WARN.

Byline: BRAD A. GREENBERG Staff Writer

Setting the scene for another expensive summer driving season, officials on Tuesday warned that gas prices could hit record highs - leaving Southern California drivers shelling out more than $3 a gallon.

Prices in the area already have soared an average of 28 cents during the past month, to $2.90, according to the Automobile Club of Southern California.

And U.S. Department of Energy officials said Tuesday that national prices are expected to average 25 cents more than last summer when, at its peak, the average gallon of unleaded cost $2.77.

Drivers in the Valley already are finding ways to cope with the rising prices.

"I came here to Arco, even though I'd rather have a better grade of gas, because I'm not going to pay for it," Pam Loftus said as she spent $20 to put 7.4 gallons into her SUV at one of the least-expensive gas stations in Studio City.

"I'd rather have my car fall apart than pay more for gas."

The rising gas prices, however, aren't expected to break motorists' mentality.

The Energy Department estimates that, on average, gas use will increase 1.5 percent during the April-to-September driving season.

at this point we saw prices climbing and we thought that might affect summer travel, but we had the busiest Memorial Day ever last year."

"People will adapt somehow," he added. "They'll eat at a less-expensive restaurant, they'll stay one less night or they'll stay closer to home. That's one of the nice things about Southern California: There is so much within four hours."

But some drivers are getting more wary, including Diana Barba and her husband, who took their two children to Rosarito last weekend.

Driving from Sylmar to Baja, Mexico, they spent $80 on gas - more than the cost of a night in their beach-side hotel and more than two days of dining out.

Now the Barbas, who wanted to soon settle on a vacation destination for the summer, have decided to wait and see how high gas prices climb.

"You can't afford to take a trip if you have to pay for gas," said Diana Barba, 39.

That squeeze is expected to continue as price increases are fueled by higher crude costs, growing fuel usage, requirements for low-sulfur gas and increasing demand for the additive ethanol.

Only a year ago, analysts were predicting that the price per barrel would break the $60 threshold. It's now looking to cross $70.

"I don't like it, but what can we do?" Vasile Ionescu said as he filled up his utility van at the Costco in Van Nuys.

By 10 a.m., lines at Costco's 12 pumps had grown six cars deep.

"You have to work a little harder and try to make it up," said Ionescu, 50, of Encino.

Ionescu said he isn't concerned about higher summer gas prices because he spends that time in Europe - where gas is much more expensive.

"When I go to Europe, (I'm) amazed," he said. "You'll pay $100 to fill up your tank."

Ramon Gasto was tired of spending almost that much to fill up his Chevy Suburban or Ford Expedition - so he sold both and bought a four-cylinder Volkswagen.

Still, the 28-year-old Pacoima man is philosophical.

"What can I say? It's expensive."

brad.greenberg(at)dailynews.com

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CAPTION(S):

photo, 2 charts

Photo:

Dave DeLange of Folsom pumps gas - at $3.09 per gallon - during a stop at a station in Castaic while traveling northbound on I-5 on Tuesday. The station owner says his prices are higher than those of other stations because he gets charged a higher fee by the delivery company. But experts warn drivers to expect $3-a-gallon prices this summer.

John Lazar/Staff Photographer

Chart:

(1) Prices on the rise

SOURCE: losangelesgasprices.com

(2) Vacation drives won't come cheap

SOURCE: Energy Information Administration

Associated Press