LOS ANGELES (CNS) - The average price of a gallon of self-serve regular gasoline in Los Angeles County rose 1.5 cents today to $4.075, its highest amount since Nov. 11, 2019.
The average price has risen 19 of the past 21 days, increasing 10.3 cents, including 1.3 cents Thursday, according to figures from the AAA and Oil Price Information Service. It is 4.9 cents more than one week ago, 13.1 cents higher than one month ago and $1.241 greater than one year ago.
The average price has risen 84.3 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 1.1 cents to $4.046, its highest amount since Nov. 8, 2019. It is 5 cents more than one week ago, 12.1 cents higher than one month ago and $1.254 greater than one year ago.
The Orange County average price has risen 83.8 cents since the start of the year, including 1.4 cents on Thursday, mainly because of a run of 72 increases in 73 days totaling 68.1 cents that ended March 20.
Sightly reduced gasoline production and inventories are continuing to put upward pressure on Southern California gas prices, according to Jeffrey Spring, the Automobile Club of Southern California's corporate communications manager.
The large price increase from one year ago is the result of a significant decrease 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.
The Los Angeles County average price is 5 cents less than it was on April 30, 2019, while the Orange County average price is 5.6 cents less.
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