The average price of a gallon of self-serve regular gasoline in Riverside County recorded its largest daily increase since Oct. 1 Saturday, rising 5.6 cents to $5.577, its highest amount since Oct. 25.
The average price has increased 50 times in 56 days, rising 73 cents, including 2.6 cents Friday, according to figures from the AAA and Oil Price Information Service.
The average price is 20 cents more than one week ago, 43.4 cents higher than one month ago and 27.7 cents above what it was one year ago. It has dropped 79.6 cents since rising to a record $6.373 on Oct. 5.
The national average price rose a half-cent to $3.871, the ninth consecutive increase since a run of six decreases in seven days totaling 2.4 cents ended Sept. 7 when it was unchanged. It has risen 6.8 cents over the past 10 days, including eight-tenths of a cent Friday.
The national average price is 4.8 cents more than one week ago and 17.9 cents higher than one year ago but two-tenths of a cent less than one month ago. It has dropped $1.145 since rising to a record $5.016 on June 14, 2022.
“Oil costs are putting upward pressure on pump prices, but the rise is tempered by much lower demand,” said Andrew Gross, an AAA national public relations manager.
“The slide in people fueling up is typical, with schools back in session, the days getting shorter, and the weather less pleasant. But the usual decline in pump prices is being stymied for now by these high oil costs.”