Average LA County Gas Price Rises To Highest Amount Since Dec. 5

LOS ANGELES COUNTY -- The average price of a gallon of self-serve regular gasoline in Los Angeles County rose today for the 23rd consecutive day, increasing four-tenths of a cent to $4.837, its highest amount since Dec. 5.

The average price has increased 27.3 cents over the past 23 days, including six-tenths of a cent Thursday, according to figures from the AAA and Oil Price Information Service. It is 6 cents more than one week ago, 31.3 cents higher than one month ago and 1.5 cents greater than it was one year ago.

The average price has dropped $1.657 since rising to a record $6.494 on Oct. 5, 2022.

The Orange County average price rose for the 21st time in 23 days, increasing four-tenths of a cent to $4.807, its highest amount since Dec. 2. It has risen 31.2 cents over the past 23 days, including a half-cent Thursday.

The Orange County average price is 6.5 cents more than one week ago, 35.3 cents higher than one month ago and a half-cent greater than it was one year ago. It has dropped $1.652 since rising to a record $6.459 on Oct. 5.

``Los Angeles wholesale gasoline prices moved up significantly last week in response to refinery problems and have backed down somewhat, but they are still at almost the same level as this time last year on the eve of the Russian Ukraine invasion,'' said Doug Shupe, the Automobile Club of Southern California's corporate communications manager.

``This is despite the fact that oil prices are nearly $20 lower per barrel than this time last year, indicating that other factors are playing a role in the increased prices, such as continued inflation and California's steady reduction in refinery output and capacity.''

The national average price dropped for the 25th time in 27 days, decreasing eight-tenths of a cent to $3.385. It has dropped 12.5 cents over the past 27 days, including four-tenths of a cent Thursday.

The national average price is 3.6 cents less than one week ago, 6.1 cents lower than one month ago, and 15.8 cents below what it was one year ago.

The national average price has dropped $1.631 since rising to a record $5.016 on June 14.

-- City News Service