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LOS ANGELES (CNS) - The average price of a gallon of self-serve regular gasoline in Los Angeles County dropped Saturday for the 12th consecutive day and 21st time in 22 days, decreasing 1.5 cents to $5.183, its lowest amount since April 2.
The average price has decreased 18.9 cents over the past 22 days, including 1.2 cents Friday, according to figures from the AAA and Oil Price Information Service. It dropped nine consecutive days, was unchanged May 6 and resumed dropping the following day.
The average price is 7.7 cents less than one week ago and 21 cents lower than one month ago, but 36.5 cents more than one year ago. It has dropped $1.311 since rising to a record $6.494 on Oct. 5, 2022.
The Orange County average price dropped for the 22nd time in 23 days, decreasing 1.6 cents to $5.089, its lowest amount since March 29. It has dropped 20.8 cents over the past 23 days, including 1.9 cents Friday.
The Orange County average price is 8.7 cents less than one week ago and 25.7 cents lower than one month ago, but 30 cents more than one year ago. It has dropped $1.37 since rising to a record $6.459 on Oct. 5, 2022.
The Orange County average price dropped 17 consecutive days, rose two- tenths of a cent Monday and resumed decreasing the following day.
The national average dropped for the eighth time in nine days, decreasing four-tenths of a cent to $3.593. It has dropped 4.9 cents over the past nine days, including three-tenths of a cent Friday.
The national average price is 3.3 cents less than one week ago and 8.1 cents lower than one month ago but 5.7 cents more than one year ago. It has dropped $1.423 since rising to a record $5.016 on June 14, 2022.
The primary reasons for the "glacial descent" of the national average price "are weak domestic demand and oil costs below $80 a barrel," according to Andrew Gross, an AAA national public relations manager.
"Barring some unforeseen event, this pokey drop in pump prices is not likely to change anytime soon," Gross said. "There are seven states with county gas averages at less than $3 a gallon. This trend will likely accelerate as more gas outlets east of the Rockies drop their prices."