Los Angeles and Orange County residents are seeing a slight break at the pump, as average gasoline prices have continued their recent decline across the region. In Los Angeles County, the average price for a gallon of self-serve regular gasoline dropped 2.8 cents on Saturday, bringing the average to $6.241. This marks the 15th price decrease in 16 days for LA County, according to figures compiled by AAA and Oil Price Information Service.
Just south, Orange County saw its own average price fall by 2.6 cents, reaching $6.175. This dip on Saturday extends Orange County's streak of consecutive daily price drops to 16 days.
Over the past 16 days, LA County's average price has decreased by a total of 19.8 cents, including a 1.7 cent reduction on Friday. Orange County residents have seen an even larger cumulative drop of 23.2 cents in the same 16-day period, with Friday contributing a 1.6 cent decrease.
These recent declines come after a significant period of rising prices. Before this current trend, Los Angeles County experienced a 44-day streak of increases that added 79.7 cents to the average cost per gallon. This pushed the price to within 5.4 cents of its record high of $6.493, which was set on October 5, 2022. Orange County's situation was similar, with 42 increases in 44 days, totaling 83.7 cents, and bringing its average price within 5.3 cents of its own record of $6.458, also set on October 5, 2022.
Looking at the broader picture for Los Angeles County, the current average price is 10.9 cents less than it was one week ago. However, it remains 10.6 cents more expensive than one month ago and a notable $1.551 higher than one year ago.
Orange County's current average price is 11.5 cents less than last week. Still, it is 6 cents more than it was one month prior and $1.513 more than it was exactly one year ago.
Both counties have seen substantial increases since late February. The average price in Los Angeles County has risen $1.547 since February 28, following the start of the joint U.S./Israel war on Iran. Orange County's average price has increased by $1.539 during the same period, a rise that sent oil prices higher and accelerated increases at the gas pump across the region.
The current downward trend in prices can be attributed to an announcement made by Governor Gavin Newsom on September 28. Newsom stated that cheaper winter-blend gasoline would be permitted for sale immediately, rather than waiting for the usual November 1 start date. This regulatory change has allowed a different, often less expensive, fuel blend to enter the market earlier than planned.
California continues to stand out nationally for its fuel costs. “California continues to be the only state with an average price above $6 a gallon,” noted Kandace Redd, the Automobile Club of Southern California’s senior public affairs specialist, in a statement released on Thursday. Redd also pointed out that Hawaii, Nevada, and Washington are the only other three states with average prices exceeding $5 a gallon.
Looking ahead, Redd offered some cautious optimism for Southern California drivers. She added, “Los Angeles wholesale gas prices have dropped significantly in the last couple of weeks, so there is plenty of momentum for pump prices to drop further in coming weeks as long as no supply issues occur.”
While Southern California drivers contend with prices still over six dollars, the national average price also saw a slight decrease, dropping nine-tenths of a cent to $4.308. Nationally, prices are 5.8 cents less than one week ago and 13 cents less than one month ago. However, the national average is still $1.257 more than it was one year ago and has increased $1.326 since the attack on Iran.
