The average price of a gallon of self-serve regular gasoline in Los Angeles County rose Friday to its highest amount since July 11, increasing 1.4 cents to $4.765, rising for the 19th time in 20 days.
The average price has increased 27.4 cents over the past 20 days, including 2.9 cents Thursday, according to figures from the AAA and Oil Price Information Service. It rose a half-cent Jan. 26 and four-tenths of a cent Jan. 27, dropped four-tenths of a cent Jan. 28 and resumed increasing Jan. 29.
The average price is 15.9 cents more than one week ago and 31.8 cents than one month ago, but 1.3 cents less than one year ago. It has dropped $1.729 since rising to a record $6.494 on Oct. 5, 2022.
The Orange County average price rose to its highest amount since June 11, increasing eight-tenths of a cent to $4.746, rising for the 18th consecutive day.
The Orange County average price has increased by 31.1 cents over the past 18 days, including 2.6 cents Thursday. It is 17.7 cents more than one week ago and 35.6 cents higher than one month ago but a half-cent less than one year ago. It has dropped $1.713 since rising to a record $6.459 on Oct. 5, 2022.
“California refinery production of gasoline was already low when a major fire at the Martinez PBF refinery on Feb. 1 took it offline indefinitely, creating a surge in wholesale gasoline prices,” said Doug Shupe, the Automobile Club of Southern California’s corporate communications manager.
“Although Southern California does not receive gasoline from the affected refinery, some supply from our area may be shifting to cover shortfalls in Northern California, which is experiencing even steeper pump price increases.”
The national average price rose for the fifth consecutive day, increasing a half-cent to $3.165. It has increased 2.9 cents over the past five days, including 1.1 cents Thursday, after back-to-back decreases totaling a half-cent.
The national average price is 2.4 cents more than one week ago and 9.4 cents higher than one month ago, but 9.1 cents less than a year ago. It has dropped $1.851 since rising to a record $5.016 on June 14, 2022.