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A gasoline truck replenishes a gas station's underground tanks. | Photo courtesy of Rennett Stowe/Flickr (CC BY 2.0)
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By STEVEN HERBERT
The average price of a gallon of self-serve regular gasoline in Los Angeles County rose Wednesday to a record for the third consecutive day, increasing a half-cent to $6.494.
The average price has risen 33 consecutive days, increasing $1.248, including 2.3 cents Tuesday, according to figures from the AAA and Oil Price Information Service. Wednesday’s increase was the smallest since a half-cent increase Sept. 19.
The average price is 38.6 cents more than one week ago, $1.207 higher than one month ago and $2.072 greater than one year ago.
The streak of increases follows a run of 78 decreases in 80 days totaling $1.216 that began June 15, one day after the average price rose to a then-record $6.462.
The Orange County average gasoline price set a record for the second consecutive day, increasing 1.4 cents to $6.459. It has risen 15 of the past 16 days, increasing $1.063. The Orange County average price is 36.7 cents more than one week ago, $1.229 higher than one month ago and $2.072 greater than one year ago.
“The regional differences in gas prices are stark at the moment, with prices on the West Coast hitting $6 a gallon and higher, while Texas and Gulf Coast states have prices dipping below $3 in some areas,” said Andrew Gross, an AAA national public relations manager.
“At least six California refineries are undergoing maintenance, and there is limited pipeline supply to the West Coast from locations east of the Rockies.”
The national average price rose for the 14th time in 15 days, increasing 2.6 cents to $3.831. The average price has increased 15.7 cents over the past 15 days, including six-tenths of a cent Tuesday. It rose for 11 consecutive days, dropped four-tenths of a cent Sunday and resumed increasing Monday.
The national average price is 6.6 cents more than one week ago, 4.5 cents higher than one month ago and 62.7 cents greater than one year ago.
The national average price is $1.185 less than the record $5.016 set June 14.
The run of increases follows a 98-day streak of decreases totaling $1.342 that began the day after the record was set.
