Gas Prices Near $3 A Gallon In Laguna Beach

LAGUNA BEACH, CA —Are you noticing prices at the pump these days? Gas prices in Orange County have topped the $3 mark, Wednesday, for the first time since April 6. In Laguna Beach, the 7-Eleven on Pacific Coast Highway's cash price for a gallon of regular, unleaded gasoline was $2.99 Tuesday night, Gasbuddy.com reported.

The average price of a gallon of self-serve regular gasoline increased by 1.2 cents to $3.004, according to the AAA and Oil Price Information Service.

The Orange County average price has risen 40 of the past 43 days, increasing 23.4 cents, including three-tenths of a cent on Tuesday.

The average price is 3.5 cents more than one week ago and 16.5 cents higher than one month ago but 73.9 cents less than one year ago. Still, that price has dropped 54.1 cents since the start of the year.

The Los Angeles County average price rose Wednesday for the 28th time in 30 days, increasing four-tenths of a cent to $3.033, its highest amount since April 5.

The average price has risen 15.8 cents over the past 30 days, including four-tenths of a cent on Tuesday. It rose 14 consecutive days, dropped one-tenth of a cent June 2, increased the next five days, decreased one- tenth of a cent June 8 and resumed increasing June 9.

The average price is 3.3 cents more than a week ago and 15.8 cents higher than a month ago but 75.5 cents less than one year ago. It has decreased 58.2 cents since the start of the year.

"In general, increased demand has been the primary reason why gas prices have been increasing," said Marie Montgomery, a public relations specialist with the Automobile Club of Southern California.

The crude oil price and supply and demand are the most important factors in the gas price. Crude oil prices have also been increasing recently because of increased demand.