Gas Prices on the Rise in Los Angeles County and California

News Summary

Gas prices in Los Angeles County have surged, with the average price of a gallon of self-serve regular gasoline reaching $4.927, the highest since early June. This increase is part of a broader trend across California where the average price has jumped to $4.95. Factors contributing to this rise include the switch to summer blend gasoline, refinery shortages, and increased demand due to the upcoming summer road trip season. Despite these recent hikes, current prices remain lower than last year, prompting drivers to be more vigilant about their gas expenses.

Gas Prices on the Rise in Los Angeles County and California

If you’ve been filling up your gas tank in Los Angeles County lately, you may have noticed that prices seem to be creeping up again. As of now, the average price of a gallon of self-serve regular gasoline stands at $4.927—a tiny bump of four-tenths of a cent, making it the highest price we’ve seen since early June. Of course, the situation isn’t limited to Los Angeles; throughout California, the average price is even higher at $4.95, which is a notable increase of 20 cents compared to last week.

Yearly Comparison Shows Slight Improvement

Interestingly, despite this recent spike, current prices are actually 32 cents lower than they were a year ago. That might bring some comfort to drivers scrambling to keep their budgets intact. However, there’s no denying that these current increases are catching many by surprise as they gear up for summer road trips.

Factors Behind the Surge

According to experts, the upward trend in gas prices isn’t solely a result of one factor. Instead, it’s a combination of several elements that are causing this fluctuation. For one, the transition to a summer blend gasoline adds costs, typically increasing prices by 15 to 20 cents per gallon. This seasonal shift often occurs alongside refinery maintenance periods, making it a double whammy for drivers feeling the pinch at the pump.

Road Trip Season and Increased Demand

As summer approaches, more folks are gearing up for longer road trips. With schools out and vacations on the horizon, the demand for gasoline tends to skyrocket. Combine this with ongoing shortages at refineries—including a recent explosion in Northern California that has put some refineries temporarily offline—and you’ve got a perfect storm for escalating fuel costs.

Recent Trends and What’s Next

In terms of numbers, we’ve seen the average price of gas go up steadily, with prices climbing on 14 out of the last 15 days for a total increase of 27.8 cents. Over the past week alone, prices have gone up by 16.3 cents, while in the past month, the overall increase is around 19 cents.
If you’re looking for some good news, though, it’s worth mentioning that prices are still a staggering 35.7 cents lower than this time last year and have dropped significantly from the previous record high of $6.494 back in October 2022.

Orange County Sees Similar Trends

Orange County, the average price clings to $4.889. While that number hasn’t changed from the previous week, it’s still the highest average since early June, having jumped a noteworthy 28.6 cents over ten consecutive days. If you break it down, the price in Orange County is 15.2 cents higher than one week ago and 19.4 cents more than a month ago, yet still 37 cents lower than last year.

National Picture Shows Slight Decline

What Should Drivers Do?

better gas prices. With the likelihood of continued price hikes due to ongoing refinery issues and supply constraints, it’s clear that staying informed and prepared is key during this unpredictable gas market.

Deeper Dive: News & Info About This Topic

• ABC7 News
• Wikipedia: Gasoline
• SFGATE
• Google Search: California gas prices 2023
• Newsweek
• Encyclopedia Britannica: Gas prices
• Ecoticias
• Google News: grocery store gas prices

Author: HERE San Diego