Southern Californians are currently paying more at the pump, with the average cost of a gallon of self-serve regular gasoline in both Los Angeles and Orange counties continuing an upward trend for 18 consecutive days. In Los Angeles County, the average price rose another 2.6 cents on Saturday, reaching $5.883. This marks the highest price point for the county since June 8.
According to figures from the AAA and Oil Price Information Service, the recent surge means prices in Los Angeles County are notably higher across the board. The average price is 14.8 cents more than one week ago, 18.8 cents more than one month ago, and a substantial $1.239 more than this time last year.
Orange County drivers are experiencing a similar situation, with the average price increasing by 2.6 cents to $5.863. This is the highest average price in Orange County since June 4, also following 18 straight days of increases. For Orange County, prices are 15.8 cents more than a week ago, 21.8 cents more than a month ago, and $1.245 more than one year ago.
Both Southern California counties have seen significant price jumps since late February. The average price in Los Angeles County has increased $1.189 since February 28, while Orange County’s average price has risen by $1.227 since that date. The AAA and Oil Price Information Service attribute these drastic increases to the start of the joint U.S./Israel war on Iran, which contributed to higher oil prices.
Nationally, the trend is different, with the average price dropping two-tenths of a cent to $4.145 after five consecutive days of increases. Despite this recent small decline, the national average price is still 6.4 cents more than a week ago, 6.5 cents more than a month ago, and 94.1 cents more than one year ago. The national average has increased $1.163 since the attack on Iran.
This year’s national average price is at its highest for this late in the calendar year, according to Patrick De Haan, head of petroleum analysis at GasBuddy. GasBuddy gathers real-time gas price information from more than 150,000 stations. The AAA noted on Thursday that “The national average has never been above $4 per gallon on Labor Day,” with the previous Labor Day record being $3.82, set on September 3, 2012. While gasoline demand typically decreases this time of year, which usually brings down gas prices, the AAA states this year is an exception “due to the high cost of crude oil.”
