LOS ANGELES (CNS) - The average price of a gallon of self-serve regular gasoline in Los Angeles County rose today for the 12th consecutive day, increasing 1 cent to $4.107, its highest amount since Nov. 7, 2019.
The average price has increased 8.1 cents over the past 12 days, including six-tenths of a cent Tuesday, according to figures from the AAA and Oil Price Information Service. It is 6 cents more than one week ago, 14.4 cents higher than one month ago and $1.285 greater than one year ago.
The Orange County average price rose for the ninth consecutive day and 11th time in 12 days, increasing six-tenths of a cent to $4.072, its highest amount since Nov. 7, 2019. It has risen 7.6 cents over the past 12 days, including three-tenths of a cent on both Monday and Tuesday.
The Orange County average price is 5.1 cents more than one week ago, 13.4 cents higher than one month ago and $1.302 greater than one year ago.
The run of increases “is a fairly typical pattern for Southern California gas prices each spring'' as “demand rises while refineries often struggle to keep up due to maintenance issues, fuel ingredient shortfalls or other problems,'' said Marie Montgomery, a public relations specialist with the Automobile Club of Southern California.
“When local refineries can't produce enough fuel, replacement gasoline must come by ship, usually from other countries, because there is no pipeline to get a substitute supply from other states,'' Montgomery told City News Service. “Typically most California supply issues are ironed out by May, when gas prices usually reach their highest point."
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 1.3 cents less than it was on May 5, 2019, while the Orange County average price is 2.5 cents less.
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