The average price of a gallon of self-serve regular gasoline in Los Angeles County rose for the 10th consecutive day Saturday, increasing 1.9 cents to $4.505.
The average price has risen 14.8 cents over the past 10 days, including 1.9 cents on Thursday and Friday, according to figures from the AAA and Oil Price Information Service. It is 10.6 cents more than one week ago and 11.3 cents more than one month ago, but 10.1 cents less than one year ago.
The average price has dropped $1.989 since rising to a record $6.494 on Oct. 5, 2022.
The Orange County average price also rose for the 10th consecutive day, increasing 2.2 cents to $4.403. It has risen 18.2 cents over the past 10 days, including 2.1 cents on Friday. The Orange County average price is 11.7 cents more than one week ago and 14.3 cents more than one month ago, but 14.4 cents less than one year ago. It has dropped $2.034 since rising to a record $6.459 on Oct. 5, 2022.
“April 1 is the deadline by which Southern California gas stations have to start selling summer-blend gasoline to meet air quality requirements, but refineries start producing and shipping summer blend at the end of January to make sure they meet that deadline,” Doug Shupe, the Automobile Club of Southern California’s corporate communications manager, said in a statement released Thursday.
“Summer-blend gasoline is more expensive to produce, which increases prices at the pump. Additionally, a refinery closure in Northern California is currently underway, which will reduce gas production capacity statewide and is also expected to increase gas prices,” he added.
The national average price dropped two-tenths of a cent to $2.898, after five consecutive increases. It is 2.8 cents more than one week ago and 7.9 cents more than one month ago, but 24.3 cents less than one year ago. It has dropped $2.118 since rising to a record $5.016 on June 14, 2022.