The average price of a gallon of self-serve regular gasoline in Los Angeles County dropped Friday for the 20th time in 21 days, decreasing 1.3 cents to $4.476, its lowest amount since Aug. 19.
The average price has dropped 25.3 cents over the past 21 days, including 1.5 cents Thursday, according to figures from the AAA and the Oil Price Information Service. It decreased nine consecutive days, was unchanged Dec. 8 and resumed dropping the following day.
The average price is 7.6 cents less than one week ago and 33.4 cents lower than one month ago, but 11.4 cents more than one year ago. It has dropped $2.018 since rising to a record $6.494 on Oct. 5, 2022.
The Orange County average price dropped to its lowest amount since Jan. 4, decreasing 1.7 cents to $4.369. It has dropped 25 of the past 26 days, decreasing 34.6 cents, including 1.1 cents Thursday.
The Orange County average price dropped five consecutive days, rose a half-cent Nov. 29 and resumed decreasing the following day. The run began one day after the end of a 12-day streak of decreases totaling 13.9 cents.
The Orange County average price is 8.4 cents less than one week ago and 37.6 cents lower than one month ago, but 8.4 cents more than one year ago. It has dropped $2.09 since rising to a record $6.459 on Oct. 5, 2022.
“A few gas stations in Southern California, mainly in the Inland Empire, now are posting prices below $3.50 a gallon,” Doug Shupe, the Automobile Club of Southern California’s corporate communications manager, said in a statement released Thursday.
“It’s a good idea to shop around for the lowest nearby price when pump prices are falling so rapidly. Drivers can usually find gas stations near them charging 50 to 70 cents per gallon less than the average price for their area.”
The national average price dropped for the seventh tine in eight days, decreasing 1.5 cents to $2.881. It has dropped 5.9 cents over the past eight days, including nine-tenths of a cent Thursday.
The national average price fell four consecutive days, rose one-tenth of a cent Tuesday and resumed falling Wednesday. It is 5.1 cents less than one week ago, 21.3 cents lower than one month ago and 16.4 cents below what it was one year ago.
The national average price has dropped $2.135 since rising to a record $5.016 on June 14, 2022.