LOS ANGELES (CNS) - The average price of a gallon of self-serve regular gasoline in Los Angeles County was unchanged today for the third time in four days, remaining at $4.247.
The average price was also unchanged Tuesday and Wednesday and rose two-tenths of a cent on Thursday. It is 1 cent more than one week ago, 9.3 cents higher than one month ago and $1.241 greater than one year ago, according to figures from the AAA and Oil Price Information Service.
The average price has risen $1.015 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 four-tenths of a cent to $4.202 after changing by two-tenths of a cent or less for four consecutive days. It was unchanged Monday and Wednesday, and increased two-tenths of a cent Tuesday and one-tenth of a cent Thursday.
The Orange County average price is 1.2 cents more than one week ago, 8.6 cents higher than one month ago and $1.229 greater than one year ago. It has risen 99.4 cents since the start of the year to its highest amount since Oct. 11, 2019, mainly because of a run of 72 increases in 73 days totaling 68.1 cents that ended March 20.
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.
“Oil Price Information Service reports more imported fuel is arriving into California and refineries have almost wrapped up their planned maintenance, so those factors should push down pump prices soon,'' said Jeffrey Spring, the Automobile Club of Southern California's corporate communications manager.
“However, price averages are now at their second-highest levels for June, about 20 cents lower than in 2008 when the Los Angeles price average was $4.47 a gallon.''
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