By STEVEN HERBERT
LOS ANGELES – The average price of a gallon of self-serve regular gasoline in Los Angeles County rose Friday for the 30th consecutive day, increasing 2.5 cents to $4.914, its highest amount since Dec. 2.
The average price has increased 35 cents over the past 30 days, including 3.3 cents Thursday, according to figures from the AAA and Oil Price Information Service. It is 7.7 cents more than one week ago and 30.2 cents higher than one month ago but 10 cents less than one year ago.
The average price has dropped $1.58 since rising to a record $6.494 on Oct. 5, 2022.
The Orange County average price rose for the 25th time in 30 days, increasing 1.8 cents to $4.886, its highest amount since Nov. 30. It has increased 39.1 cents over the past 30 days, including 4.3 cents Thursday. The Orange County average price dropped 21 times in 23 days before being unchanged Saturday. It dropped three-tenths of a cent Sunday and two-tenths of a cent Monday then resumed increasing Tuesday.
The Orange County average price is 7.9 cents more than one week ago and 33.5 cents higher than one month ago but 10.4 cents less than one year ago. It has dropped $1.573 since rising to a record $6.459 on Oct. 5.
“Oil Price Information Service and the Energy Information Administration report that West Coast refinery utilization rates are down to 77.8% due to maintenance and breakdowns,” said Doug Shupe, the Automobile Club of Southern California’s corporate communications manager.
“This is having a significant impact on California supply while most of the rest of the country is experiencing gas price stability or declines.”
The national average price rose for the third consecutive day following a run of 29 decreases in 31 days totaling 15.3 cents, increasing 1.6 cents to $3.39. It is a half-cent more than one week ago but 10.1 cents less than one month ago and 33.8 cents lower than one year ago.
The national average price has dropped $1.626 since rising to a record $5.016 on June 14.