Gas Prices Soar Across SoCal, Where To Find Cheap Gas In Seal Beach

SEAL BEACH, CA — Gas prices broke past the $6 per gallon mark this week, leaving Orange County residents scrambling on where to find the cheapest gas in town.

The Orange County average price rose for the 52nd time in 58 days, increasing 2.3 cents to $6.045, its highest amount since Oct. 14. It has risen $1.144 over the past 58 days, including 11 cents Tuesday when it topped $6 for the first time since Oct. 16.

The Orange County average price is 48.9 cents more than one week ago, 74.5 cents higher than one month ago and 61.5 cents above what it was one year ago. It has dropped 41.4 cents since rising to a record $6.459 on Oct. 5.

In Seal Beach, residents can find the cheapest place to fill up at the Berri Brothers Station on Pacific Coast Highway in Sunset Beach, where gas was $5.79 per regular self-service gallon on Thursday, according to GasBuddy.

The increasing pump prices are the result of rising crude oil prices stemming from "oil supply cuts in Saudi Arabia and Russia, plus concerns over disruptions to oil exports from Libya following deadly flooding" and "refinery issues in Southern California" which have led to lower inventory, Doug Shupe, the Automobile Club of Southern California's corporate communications manager, told City News Service.

"It is hopeful we will see relief as early as the end of this month when some gasoline cargoes are likely to end up on the West Coast," Shupe said.

The national average price dropped a half-cent to $3.875, one day after an 11-day streak of increases totaling 7.8 cents ended when it decreased one-tenth of a cent. It is 2.7 cents more than one week ago, nine-tenths of a cent higher than one month ago and 20.1 cents above what it was one year ago.

The national average price has dropped $1.141 since rising to a record $5.016 on June 14, 2022.

City News Service contributed to this article.