The average price of a gallon of self-serve regular gasoline in Los Angeles County rose Saturday to its highest amount since Dec. 4, increasing 4 cents to $3.525, one day after recording its largest daily increase since March 11, 2016 — 4.7 cents.
The average price has risen 17 of the past 18 days, increasing 17.5 cents, according to figures from the AAA and Oil Price Information Service. It is 15.3 cents more than one week ago, 17.2 cents higher than one month ago and 1.1 cents greater than one year ago.
The Orange County average price rose to its highest amount since Dec. 3, increasing 4.4 cents to $3.488, one day after recording its largest daily increase since March 11, 2016 — 5.5 cents. It is 16.5 cents more than one week ago, 17.5 cents higher than one month ago but eight-tenths of a cent less than one year ago.
The price spike is the result of a reduction in supply caused by a partial shutdown of the Phillips 66 Carson refinery, planned maintenance at the Torrance Refinery and unplanned flaring at the Chevron El Segundo refinery Thursday, said Jeffrey Spring, the Automobile Club of Southern California’s corporate communications manager.