Gas Prices on the Rise in Southern California: What You Need to Know
Gas Prices Continue to Climb in Southern California
The average price for a gallon of self-serve regular gasoline in Los Angeles County increased by 1.1 cents on Saturday, reaching $5.971. This marks the highest level since October 9, 2023.
According to data from the AAA and the Oil Price Information Service, prices have risen on 37 of the past 38 days, with a marginal increase of two-tenths of a cent recorded on Friday. Compared to one week ago, the price has surged by 17.3 cents. Over the past month, it is up by $1.277, and compared to the previous year, it has increased by $1.26. This current average is 52.3 cents lower than the record high of $6.494 set on October 5, 2022.
In Orange County, the average price also saw an uptick, rising 1.3 cents to $5.912, just a day after a 56-day streak of price increases ended with a slight decrease of four-tenths of a cent. This is the highest price for Orange County since October 6, 2023, and marks a 14.4-cent increase from last week, $1.276 from last month, and $1.239 from last year. The price remains 54.7 cents lower than the record of $6.459 observed on October 5, 2022.
The recent price hikes have been exacerbated by ongoing geopolitical tensions. Following the joint U.S./Israel attack on Iran on February 28, oil prices surged, further driving up gas prices at the pump.
Kandace Redd, senior public affairs specialist for the Automobile Club of Southern California, commented, "Southern California gas prices are following a similar pattern to the spike we saw after Russia invaded Ukraine on February 24, 2022." Redd noted, "Today marks 27 days since the Iran conflict began, and the Los Angeles average gas price has risen by $1.26 a gallon since then. During the same number of days after the Russia-Ukraine war began, the Los Angeles average gas price rose by $1.19 a gallon to an average price of over $6 a gallon."
In contrast, the national average price for gasoline has dropped for the third consecutive day, declining by two-tenths of a cent to $3.976. This decrease follows a 25-day streak of price increases that brought the average to its highest level since August 11, 2022. The national average price is currently 5.1 cents more than one week ago, 99.4 cents more than one month ago, and 81.9 cents more than one year ago, although it remains $1.04 lower than the record high of $5.016 set on June 14, 2022.
