LOS ANGELES (CNS) - The average price of a gallon of self-serve regular gasoline in Los Angeles County dropped two-tenths of a cent today, the 12th consecutive day it has changed by two-tenths of a cent or less.
The average price of $4.25 is four-tenths of a cent more than one week ago, 7.1 cents higher than one month ago and $1.202 greater than one year ago, according to figures from the AAA and Oil Price Information Service.
The average price has risen $1.018 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 and was caused by ``higher oil prices and higher demand,'' said Marie Montgomery, a public relations specialist with the Automobile Club of Southern California.
The Orange County average price rose one-tenth of a cent, the 12th time in 13 days it has changed by two-tenths of a cent or less. The average price of $4.203 is one-tenth of a cent more than one week ago, 6.3 cents higher than one month ago and $1.179 greater than one year ago.
The Orange County average price has risen 99.5 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.
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.