The average price of a gallon of self-serve regular gasoline in Los Angeles County recorded its largest decrease since Dec. 6 Wednesday, dropping 4.9 cents to $6.196.
The average price has dropped five consecutive days, decreasing 11.9 cents, including 4 cents Tuesday, according to figures from the AAA and Oil Price Information Service.
The decreases follow a run of 23 increases in 25 days totaling 91.8 cents that boosted the average price to its highest amount since Oct. 11.
The average price is 3.4 cents more than one week ago and 79.9 cents higher than one month ago but 29.3 cents less than one year ago when the average price was approaching a record. It has dropped 29.8 cents since rising to a record $6.494 on Oct. 5.
The Orange County average price recorded its largest decrease since at least July 2019, dropping 7.9 cents to $6.085. It has also dropped five consecutive days, decreasing 20.3 cents, including 6.4 cents Tuesday.
The Orange County average price is 4.7 cents less than one week ago and 36 cents lower than one year ago but 72.9 cents more than one month ago. It has dropped 37.4 cents since rising to a record $6.459 on Oct. 5.
The decreases follow a run of 26 increases in 28 days totaling 97.2 cents that boosted the average price to its highest amount since Oct. 10.
The dropping prices stem from Gov. Gavin Newsom sending a letter to the California Air Resources Board late Thursday directing it to allow refineries to begin making and distributing winter-blend gasoline, which is cheaper to produce.
Stations normally cannot start selling winter blend gas until Nov. 1.
The national average price dropped for the 14th time in 16 days, decreasing 1.3 cents to $3.785. It has dropped 9.6 cents over the past 16 days, including 1.6 cents Tuesday.
The national average price is 4.7 cents less than one week ago, 2.8 cents lower than one month ago and 2 cents below what it was one year ago. It has dropped $1.231 since rising to a record $5.016 on June 14, 2022.