US-Iran Tensions Not Impacting RivCo Gasoline Prices: Auto Club

RIVERSIDE COUNTY, CA — The average price of a gallon of self-serve regular gasoline in Riverside County rose two-tenths of a cent Friday to $3.512, the fourth consecutive increase after dropping 61 of the previous 64 days to its lowest amount since Aug. 29.

The average price has increased 1.8 cents over the past four days, including 1.1 cents on Thursday, according to figures from the AAA and Oil Price Information Service. The average price dropped 53.5 cents during the run of 61 decreases in 64 days.

The average price is 1.3 cents more than one week ago and 31.2 cents higher than one year ago but 11.7 cents less than one month ago.

"Los Angeles wholesale gasoline prices increased earlier this week on news of unplanned flaring at the Marathon refinery in Carson and subsequent refinery purchases of fuel in the spot market," said Jeffrey Spring, the Automobile Club of Southern California's corporate communications manager.

"However, wholesale prices have backed off a bit (Thursday), and the Energy Information Administration reported Wednesday that West Coast gasoline inventories have grown, so it's unclear whether gas price declines are really over for this month," Spring said. "Currently, the incidents between the U.S. and Iran have not affected prices in this region, even though much of the crude oil purchased by California refineries comes from the Middle East."