LOS ANGELES (CNS) - The average price of a gallon of self-serve regular gasoline in Los Angeles County reached the $3 mark for the first time since April 8 today, rising 1 cent to $3.
The average price has risen 21 of the past 23 days, increasing 12.5 cents, including eight-tenths of a cent Tuesday, according to figures from the AAA and Oil Price Information Service. It rose 14 consecutive days, dropped one-tenth of a cent June 2, increased the next five days, decreased one-tenth of a cent on Monday and resumed increasing Tuesday.
The average price is 4.2 cents more than a week ago and 15.1 cents higher than a month ago but 85.9 cents less than one year ago. It has decreased 61.5 cents since the start of the year.
The Orange County average price rose today for the 34th time in 36 days, increasing nine-tenths of a cent to $2.969. It has risen 19.9 cents over the past 36 days, including nine-tenths of a cent on Tuesday.
The Orange County average price is 4.3 cents more than one week ago and 16.4 cents higher than one month ago but 85.5 cents less than one year ago. It has dropped 57.6 cents since the start of the year.
The Orange County average price rose for 20 consecutive days, was unchanged May 26, rose each of the next five days, was unchanged June 1 and resumed rising the next day.
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.
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