The average price of a gallon of self-serve regular gasoline in Los Angeles County rose Friday for the eighth time in nine days, increasing a half-cent to $2.909.

The average price has increased 5 cents over the past nine days, including 1.3 cents on Thursday, the largest increase since Nov. 1, according to figures from the AAA and Oil Price Information Service.

The average price is 4.4 cents more than a week ago and 3.6 cents higher than a month ago but $1.108 less than one year ago. It has decreased 70.6 cents since the start of the year.

The Orange County average price rose for the 17th consecutive day Friday, increasing seven-tenths of a cent to $2.871. It has risen 10.1 cents over the past 17 days, including 1 cent on Thursday, after dropping 68 of the previous 70 days to its lowest amount since Dec. 28, 2016, decreasing 74.9 cents.

The Orange County average price is 5 cents more than one week ago and 3.1 cents higher than one month ago but $1.115 less than one year ago. It has dropped 67.4 cents since the start of the year.

“In many cities gas prices are now higher than they were a month ago, reflecting the fact that more people are driving than a month ago,” said Jeffrey Spring, the Automobile Club of Southern California’s corporate communications manager.

“As the state continues to gradually open the economy, we can expect to see gas prices continue to rise.”

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