The average price of a gallon of self-serve regular gasoline in Los Angeles County rose to its highest amount since Dec. 1 Friday, increasing 1 cent to $4.965, the third consecutive increase following a run of four decreases in five days totaling 2.2 cents.
The average price has risen 3.3 cents over the past three days, including 1.7 cents Thursday, according to figures from the AAA and the Oil Price Information Service. It is 1.7 cents more than one week ago and 10.6 cents higher than one month ago but $1.459 less than one year ago.
The average price has dropped $1.529 since rising to a record $6.494 on Oct. 5.
The Orange County average price rose to its highest amount since April 19, increasing 1.4 cents to $4.917. It has risen three consecutive days, increasing 4 cents, including 2.3 cents Thursday, following a six-day streak of decreases totaling 3.8 cents.
The Orange County average price is 1.1 cents more than one week ago and 11.1 cents higher than one month ago but $1.472 less then one year ago. It has dropped $1.542 since rising to a record $6.459 on Oct. 5.
“There are some mixed signals in the market that are causing volatility for Los Angeles wholesale gasoline prices,” said Doug Shupe, the Automobile Club of Southern California’s corporate communications manager. “Arizona gas prices seem to finally be dropping after months of a supply issue, so that may ease production pressures on Southern California refineries that also make Arizona fuel.
“According to Oil Price Information Service, West Coast refineries just reported their highest weekly utilization rate since 2019, which rose to 93% from 90% the previous week.”
The national average price rose for the third consecutive day following an eight-day streak of decreases totaling 3.7 cents, increasing 1.9 cents to $3.583. It is 1.6 cents more than one week ago and 5.7 cents higher than one month ago but $1.387 less than one year ago.
The national average price has dropped $1.433 since rising to a record $5.016 on June 14.