The average price of a gallon of self-serve regular gasoline in Riverside County rose Saturday for the 30th time in 31 days, increasing four-tents of a cent to $4.551, its highest amount since Nov. 30.
The average price is 4.6 cents more than one week ago and 41 cents more than one month ago, but 7.4 cents less than one year ago, according to figures from the AAA and Oil Price Information Service. It has dropped $1.822 since rising to a record $6.373 on Oct. 5, 2022.
Gas prices in California are on the rise 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 national average price remained unchanged at $2.982. It is 4.7 cents more than one week ago and 10.3 cents more than one month ago, but 13.2 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.