The average price of a gallon of self-serve regular gasoline in Riverside County shot up 7.6 cents Sunday to $5.738, its highest amount since Oct. 11, 2023, as the war in Iran continued to hammer American pocketbooks.
The average price is has risen 53 of the past 54 days, increasing $1.597, according to figures from the AAA and Oil Price Information Service. It is 25.6 cents more than one week ago, $1.230 more than one month ago and $1.244 more than one year ago. It is 63.5 cents less than the record $6.373 set on Oct. 5, 2022.
Prices were rising slightly in line with seasonal norms before the joint U.S./Israel attack on Iran on Feb. 28 sent oil prices higher and drastically accelerated increases at the gas pump.
The national average price rose 1.7 cents to $3.942, its highest amount since Aug. 17, 2022. It has risen for 22 consecutive days, increasing 96 cents. The national average price is 24.3 cents more than one week ago, $1.008 more than one month ago and 81.5 cents more than one year ago. It is $1.074 less than the record $5.016 set on June 14, 2022.