The conflict in the Middle East sent the average price of a gallon of self-serve regular gasoline in Los Angeles County 17.5 cents higher Saturday to $5.165, the largest single-day price hike since the 19.2-cent record on Oct. 5, 2012.
The LA County average, which increased 11 cents Friday, is the most expensive price since May 20, 2024. The average gas price is 47.1 cents more than one week ago, 66 cents more than a month ago and 44.6 cents more than it was the same time last year, according to AAA and the Oil Price Information Service.
Saturday’s LA County average, however, is $1.329 lower than the all-time record of $6.494 on Oct. 5, 2022.
The average gas price in Orange County also posted the largest increase Saturday since a record 19.5-cent spike Oct. 5, 2012. The OC average rose 17.7 cents to $5.153, the largest price spike since May 14, 2024.
The Orange County average price is 51.7 cents more than one week ago, 72.8 cents more than one month ago and 47.5 cents higher than a year ago. The average has decreased $1.306 since inflating to $6.459 on Oct. 5, 2022.
Pump prices were rising slightly in line with seasonal norms before the U.S. and Israel launched a joint attack on Iran on Feb. 28 that sent global oil prices higher and shot the prices up at local gas stations.
“It’s unknown how long these price spikes will last or how high prices will climb — that will all depend on how long oil supplies remain disrupted,” Automobile Club of Southern California spokeswoman Kandace Redd said in a statement Thursday. “Oil prices have increased by about $10 a barrel since last weekend.”
The national average price rose 9.3 cents to $3.413, its highest amount since Aug. 18, 2024. The national average price is 43.1 cents more than one week ago, 51.5 cents more than one month ago and 30.7 cents more than one year ago. It has dropped $1.603 since rising to a record $5.016 on June 14, 2022.
“The conflict in the Middle East has sent crude oil prices higher to the mid $70/barrel range. … Springtime typically sees higher gas prices as gasoline demand rises and summer-blend gasoline production begins,” AAA reported Thursday. “The last time the national average made a similar weekly jump was back in March of 2022 during the start of the Russia/Ukraine conflict.”
Inland Empire
The average per-gallon price for self-serve regular gas in Riverside County spiked 17.3 cents Saturday to $5.063, the biggest one-day rise since Oct. 5, 2012.
Riverside County’s average price has increased 37 of the past 38 days, including 11.9 cents Friday, and is at the highest level since May 21, 2024.
The average price is 51.2 cents more than a week ago, 73.3 cents more than a month ago and 49.6 cents more than the same time a year ago. The all-time highest price $6.373 on Oct. 5, 2022, $1.31 more than Saturday’s average.
San Bernardino County’s average gas price was $5.058 Saturday, up from $4.881 Friday. The price is 52.6 cents more than a week ago, 71.9 cents higher than one month ago and 47.6 cents above the average price at the same time last year. The all-time high was $6.375 on Oct. 5, 2022.
San Diego
The average price for a gallon of self-serve regular gas in San Diego County shot 14.8 cents higher Saturday, reaching $5.146 for the largest single-day spike since Sept. 29, 2022.
San Diego County’s average price has risen 17 consecutive day in a row, including 10.4 cents Friday, and is at the highest point since May 22, 2024. The average is 46 cents more than a week ago, 60.3 cents more than a month ago and 41.2 cents more than one year ago. Saturday’s inflated price, however, is $1.289 lower than the record $6.435 set Oct. 5, 2022.
