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LAKE ELSINORE, CA — Gas pumps across Riverside County are the new water cooler for drivers airing their grievances about the cost of filling up. Though prices decreased again this week, with the average price of a gallon of self-serve regular gasoline dropping nearly a penny to $6.28, Riverside County drivers aren't feeling much relief, consensus says.

In Lake Elsinore, Wednesday's gas prices at Costco were a more palatable $5.95 per gallon of regular unleaded, while the nearby ARCO station's cash price for fuel was just a dime higher at $6.09.

This Patch editor recently paid $4.79 a gallon to fill up in Arizona, though the Grand Canyon State drivers expressed equal dismay at that cost.

In RivCo, the topic of conversation among drivers waiting to fill up was much the same. Drivers returning from vacation from states as far away as Ohio and Minnesota dished on Southern California's epic fuel cost and whether or not using premium gasoline was worth the wear and tear on vehicles that recommend that option.

One question remains constant among all drivers: How long can this continue?

The latest eight days of price decreases, including Tuesday's drop by 1.5 cents across the board, follow a steady 18 increases in 19 days, raising prices from May by 35.4 cents.

Wednesday's average price is 4.9 cents less than one week ago but 29 cents more than one month ago and $2.10 higher than the fuel cost in 2021.

The national average price of a gallon of self-serve regular gasoline dropped for the eighth consecutive day following an 18-day streak of increases, decreasing 1.3 cents to $4.96.

The national average price has dropped 6.1 cents over the past eight days, including 1.3 cents Tuesday.

The average price rose 41.5 cents during the 18-day streak of increases. It is 5.9 cents less than one week ago but 36.2 cents more than one month ago and $1.87 higher than one year ago.

City News Service Contributed To This Report.