The average price of a gallon of self-serve regular gasoline in Riverside County dropped for the 26th consecutive day Wednesday, falling 2.6 cents to $5.833.
The average price has dropped 49.6 cents over the past 26 days, including 2.6 cents Tuesday, according to figures from the AAA and Oil Price Information Service. The streak began one day after the end of a 44-day streak of increases totaling 80.9 cents that brought the average price within 4.4 cents of its record, $6.373 set Oct. 5, 2022.
The average price is 16.1 cents less than one week ago and 46.6 cents less than one month ago, but $1.319 more than one year ago. It has increased $1.282 since the start of the joint U.S./Israel war on Iran on Feb. 28, which sent oil prices higher and drastically accelerated increases at the gas pump.
The dropping prices are the result of Gov. Gavin Newsom’s announcement Sept. 28 that cheaper winter-blend gasoline would be allowed to be sold immediately instead of the customary Nov. 1 date.
The national average price dropped 1.9 cents to $4.247. It is 1.7 cents less than one week ago and 22.9 cents less than one month ago, but $1.204 more than one year ago. The national average price has increased $1.265 since the attack on Iran.