The average price of a gallon of self-serve regular gasoline in Riverside County rose for the 18th consecutive day Saturday, increasing 1.7 cents to $5.758, its highest amount since June 8.
The average price has risen 23.8 cents over the past 18 days, including 2.3 cents Friday, according to figures from the AAA and Oil Price Information Service. It is 14.6 cents more than one week ago, 16.8 cents more than one month ago and $1.279 more than one year ago.
It has increased $1.207 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.
The national average price dropped two-tenths of a cent to $4.145, after five consecutive increases. The national average price is 6.4 cents more than one week ago, 6.5 cents more than one month ago and 94.1 cents more than one year ago. It has increased $1.163 since the attack on Iran.
The national average price is at its highest amount this late in the calendar year, according to Patrick De Haan, head of petroleum analysis at GasBuddy, which provides real-time gas price information from more than 150,000 stations.
“The national average has never been above $4 per gallon on Labor Day,” the AAA said Thursday. “The current Labor Day record is $3.82, set on September 3, 2012. Even though gasoline demand decreases this time of year, typically bringing down gas prices, this year is different due to the high cost of crude oil.”