The average price of a gallon of self-serve regular gasoline in Riverside County dropped 1 cent Saturday to $5.551, its fifth decrease in six days.
The run of decreases follows a 19-day streak of increases totaling 37.6 cents.
The average price is 5.6 cents less than one week ago, but 35.3 cents more than one month ago and $1.245 more than one year ago, according to figures from the AAA and Oil Price Information Service.
It has increased $1 since the start of the joint U.S./Israel attack on Iran on Feb. 28, which sent oil prices higher and drastically accelerated increases at the gas pump.
“Oil prices are now below $82 a barrel and that has helped to push down prices at the pump,” Kandace Redd, the Automobile Club of Southern California’s senior public affairs specialist, said in a statement released Thursday. “It appears the downward price trend could continue in coming days if oil prices stay lower and supply remains steady.”
The national average price dropped 2 cents to $4.022, its eighth consecutive decrease. The national average price is 7.9 cents less than one week ago, but 22.6 cents more than one month ago and 86.6 cents more than one year ago. It has increased $1.04 since the attack on Iran.
“Gas prices typically start going down this time of year, as many schools and universities begin fall semesters, and fewer people are taking road trips compared to earlier in the summer,” the AAA said Thursday.