The average price of a gallon of self-serve regular gasoline in Los Angeles County rose Friday for the 29th time in 30 days, increasing seven-tenths of a cent to $4.692, its highest amount since Dec. 2.
The average price has risen 33.5 cents over the past 30 days, including four-tenths of a cent on Thursday, according to figures from the AAA and Oil Price Information Service. It rose 20 consecutive days, dropped three-tenths of a cent Feb. 18 and resumed increasing the following day.
The average price is 5.8 cents more than one week ago and 33.4 cents higher than one month ago, but 7.3 cents less than one year ago. It has dropped $1.802 since rising to a record $6.494 on Oct. 5, 2022.
The streak of increases to the Orange County average price was extended to 30 days but barely, rising one-tenth of a cent to $4.633, its highest amount since Dec. 1. It has increased 39 cents during the streak, including seven-tenths of a cent on Thursday.
The Orange County average price is 6.2 cents more than one week ago and 38.8 cents higher than one month ago, but 9.7 cents less than one year ago. It has dropped $1.826 since rising to a record $6.459 on Oct. 5, 2022.
California gas prices are rising for several reasons, according to Kandace Redd, the Automobile Club of Southern California’s senior public affairs specialist.
“The closures of the Valero Energy refinery in Benicia and Phillips 66 in Los Angeles have reduced refinery capacity, tightening fuel supplies statewide,” Redd said in a statement released Thursday.
“Seasonal refinery maintenance is also temporarily limiting gasoline production, with refineries such as PBF in Torrance undergoing planned work.”
The run of eight increases in nine days to the national average price totaling 6.6 cents ended when it dropped one-tenth of a cent to $2.982. It is 4.8 cents more than one week ago and 9.4 cents higher than one month ago, but 14.3 cents less than one year ago.
The national average price has dropped $2.034 since rising to a record $5.016 on June 14, 2022.