The average price of a gallon of self-serve regular gasoline in Riverside County was at its second-highest amount for a Christmas Sunday, despite dropping 42 of the previous 44 days.
The average price rose 1.5 cents Sunday to $4.289, according to figures from the AAA and Oil Price Information Service. Only the $4.60 average last Christmas was higher.
The average price dropped 42 consecutive days, decreasing $1.11, then rose three-tenths of a cent Saturday. It is 3.5 cents less than one week ago, 74.8 cents lower than one month ago and 31.1 cents cheaper than one year ago.
The average price is $2.084 less than the record $6.373 set on Oct. 5.
The national average price rose for the second consecutive day after a streak of 44 consecutive decreases totaling 70.9 cents, increasing a half-cent to $3.102. It is 4.7 cents less than one week ago, 47.6 cents lower than one month ago and 18.6 cents cheaper than one year ago.
The national average price is $1.914 lower than the record $5.016 set June 14.