The average price of a gallon of self-serve regular gasoline in Riverside County recorded its largest increase since Sept. 28 Friday, rising 5.9 cents to $5.186, its highest amount since Nov. 1.
The average price has risen 18 consecutive days and 22 of the past 23 days. It has increased 38.4 cents over the past 23 days, including 3.9 cents Thursday, according to figures from the AAA and Oil Price Information Service.
The average price rose four consecutive days, dropped three-tenths of a cent March 18 and resumed increasing March 19.
The average price is 20.6 cents more than one week ago, 39.2 cents higher than one month ago and 38.1 cents greater than one year ago. It has dropped $1.187 since rising to a record $6.373 on Oct. 5, 2022.
“Oil Price Information Service reports that maintenance work continues at the Wilmington section of Phillips 66’s Los Angeles refinery, and the Chevron refinery in El Segundo reported an unplanned breakdown-related flaring on Monday,” said Doug Shupe, the Automobile Club of Southern California’s corporate communications manager.
“OPIS also stated that West Coast refinery production was down in the last week as well as gasoline inventories based on Energy Information Administration reports.”
The national average price rose 1.5 cents to $3.582, the third consecutive increase after changing by one-tenth of a cent for five consecutive days. It also rose 1.8 cents Thursday and 1.4 cents Wednesday.
The national average price is 4.5 cents more than one week ago, 21.6 cents higher than one month ago and 5.4 cents greater than one year ago. It has dropped $1.434 since rising to a record $5.016 on June 14, 2022.