Average San Diego County Gas Price Rises For 8th Time In 9 Days

SAN DIEGO, CA — The average price of a gallon of self-serve regular gasoline in San Diego County rose to its highest amount since Oct. 11, 2012, Wednesday because of higher oil prices and refineries beginning to ship summer blend gasoline, which is more expensive to produce.

The average price rose for the eighth time in nine days, increasing six-tenths of a cent to $4.694, according to figures from the AAA and Oil Price Information Service. It has increased 7 cents over the past nine days, including nine-tenths of a cent Tuesday. The average price rose six consecutive days, was unchanged on Monday and resumed increasing Tuesday.

The average price is 4.9 cents more than one week ago, 6.6 cents higher than one month ago and $1.208 greater than one year ago. It is 3.1 cents less than the record high of $4.725 set Oct. 8, 2012.

The price of a barrel of West Texas intermediate crude on the New York Mercantile Exchange has risen $14.15 since New Year's Day to $89.36.

Crude oil costs account for slightly more than half of the pump price, according to the U.S. Energy Information Administration.

Doug Shupe, the Automobile Club of Southern California's corporate communications and programs manager, cites "world tensions and OPEC concerns" as the reasons for the rising oil prices.

— City News Service