The average price of a gallon of self-serve regular gasoline in Riverside County rose Sunday for the 32nd time in 33 days, increasing 1.6 cents to $2.913.
The average price has risen 25.3 cents over the past 33 days, including seven-tenths of a cent Saturday, according to figures from the AAA and Oil Price Information Service. It rose 23 consecutive days, dropped three-tenths of a cent May 29, then resumed rising the next day.
The average price is 5.6 cents more than a week ago and 24.2 cents higher than one month ago but 90.6 cents less than one year ago. It has dropped 59.5 cents since the start of the year.
The run of increases follows 58 decreases in 62 days totaling 80.6 cents, which dropped the average price to its lowest amount since Aug. 30, 2016.
A key factor in the rising prices is increased demand for gasoline caused by the increase in people driving and the continued reduced level of gasoline production by state refineries, according to Jeffrey Spring, the Automobile Club of Southern California’s corporate communications manager.
The crude oil price and supply and demand are the most important factors in the gas price.