LOS ANGELES (CNS) - The average price of a gallon of self-serve regular gasoline in Los Angeles County rose today for the 13th consecutive day, increasing 1.5 cents to $4.122, its highest amount since Nov. 6, 2019.
The average price has increased 9.6 cents over the past 13 days, including 1 cent Wednesday, according to figures from the AAA and Oil Price Information Service. It is 6.2 cents more than one week ago, 15.9 cents higher than one month ago and $1.297 greater than one year ago.
The Orange County average price rose for the 10th consecutive day and 12th time in 13 days, increasing 1.5 cents to $4.087, its highest amount since Nov. 5, 2019. It has risen 9.1 cents over the past 13 days, including six-tenths of a cent Wednesday.
The Orange County average price is 5.2 cents more than one week ago, 14.4 cents higher than one month ago and $1.313 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 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.
The Los Angeles County average price is two-tenths of a cent more than it was on May 6, 2019, while the Orange County average price is eight-tenths of a cent less.
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