LOS ANGELES (CNS) - The average price of a gallon of self-serve regular gasoline in Los Angeles County rose a half-cent today to $4.189 after back-to-back decreases totaling three-tenths of a cent.
The average price has increased 29 of the past 32 days, increasing 16.3 cents to its highest amount since Oct. 19, 2019, according to figures from the AAA and Oil Price Information Service.
The average price is 1.4 cents more than one week ago, 15.1 cents higher than one month ago and $1.266 greater than one year ago. It has risen 95.7 cents since the start of the year, mainly because of a run of 59 increases in 60 days totaling 57.9 cents that ended March 21.
The Orange County average price rose six-tenths of a cent to $4.145, one day after dropping two-tenths of a cent. It is 1.3 cents more than one week ago, 13.6 cents higher than one month ago and $1.252 greater than one year ago.
The Orange County average price has risen 93.7 cents since the start of the year mainly because of a run of 72 increases in 73 days totaling 68.1 cents that ended March 20.
“Gas prices have hit a plateau although they are slightly up for the week,'' said Marie Montgomery, a public relations specialist with the Automobile Club of Southern California.
“There may be continued upward momentum for gas prices because of some announced flaring from May 22-27 at the Carson portion of the Marathon Refinery, according to Oil Price Information Service, but so far that has not been reflected in pump prices.''
The large price increases from one year ago are the result of significant decreases during the early stage of the coronavirus pandemic, when driving and demand dropped substantially because of stay-at-home orders intended to reduce the spread of the virus.
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