The average price of a gallon of self-serve regular gasoline in Riverside County rose for the 14th consecutive day Saturday, increasing eight-tenths of a cent to $5.033, its highest amount since Nov. 25.
The average price is 9.1 cents more than one week ago and 24.4 cents higher than one month ago, but 38.8 cents less than one year ago, according to figures from the AAA and the Oil Price Information Service. It has dropped $1.34 since rising to a record $6.373 on Oct. 5.
The national average price remained at $3.831, ending a streak of 17 consecutive increases. The national average is 8.5 cents more than one week ago and 30.9 cents higher than one month ago, but 28.2 cents less than one year ago. It has dropped $1.185 since rising to a record $5.016 on June 14, 2022.
“Last month’s extreme heat played a role in the recent spike in gas prices due to some refineries pulling back, but now operations are getting back to normal,” said Andrew Gross, an AAA national public relations manager.
“Coupled with tepid demand and declining oil prices, this may help take the steam out of the tight supply price jolts we’ve seen lately.”