The average price of a gallon of self-serve regular gasoline in Riverside County rose Sunday to its second-highest amount to end a year, despite a recent run of 39 decreases in 40 days totaling 48.5 cents.
The half-cent increase Sunday to $4.594 extended the streak of increases to nine days following the run of decreases, according to figures from the AAA and Oil Price Information Service. The average price has risen 7.3 cents during the streak, including one-tenth of a cent Saturday.
The average price is 6.1 cents more than one week ago and 24.8 cents higher than one year ago when it was $4.346, previously the second-highest amount to end a year. The record to end a year is $4.608 set in 2021.
The average price is 18 cents lower than one month ago. It has dropped $1.779 since rising to a record $6.373 on Oct. 5, 2022.
The national average price dropped for the eighth time in nine days, decreasing a half-cent to $3.112. The run totaling 1.7 cents includes five decreases of one-tenth of a cent and follows a four-day streak of increases totaling 6.1 cents.
The national average price is 1.5 cents less than one week ago, 13.4 cents lower than one month ago and 8.3 cents below one year ago. It has decreased $1.904 since rising to a record $5.016 on June 14, 2022.