The average price of a gallon of self-serve regular gasoline in Los Angeles County increased six-tenths of a cent Monday to $4.70, its highest amount since Dec. 1.
The average price has risen 31 of the previous 33 days and is 3.5 cents more than one week ago and 27.3 cents more than one month ago, but 4.8 cents less than one year ago, according to figures from the AAA and Oil Price Information Service. It has dropped $1.794 since rising to a record $6.494 on Oct. 5, 2022.
The Orange County average price rose for the 33rd consecutive day, increasing four-tenths of a cent to $4.65, its highest amount since Nov. 30. It is 4.8 cents more than one week ago and 31.1 cents more than one month ago, but 6.1 cents less than one year ago. It has dropped $1.809 since rising to a record $6.459 on Oct. 5, 2022.
California gas prices are rising for several reasons, according to Kandace Redd, the Automobile Club of Southern California’s senior public affairs specialist.
“The closures of the Valero Energy refinery in Benicia and Phillips 66 in Los Angeles have reduced refinery capacity, tightening fuel supplies statewide,” Redd said in a statement released Thursday. “Seasonal refinery maintenance is also temporarily limiting gasoline production, with refineries such as PBF in Torrance undergoing planned work.”
The national average price rose 1.3 cents to $2.997. It is 5.9 cents more than one week ago and 12.2 cents more than one month ago, but 10.1 cents less than one year ago. The national average price has dropped $2.019 since rising to a record $5.016 on June 14, 2022.