Orange County motorists are experiencing significantly higher costs at the pump as the average price for a gallon of self-serve regular gasoline climbed for its 40th consecutive day on Sunday. The average price rose by 1.6 cents to reach $6.385, marking its highest point since October 7, 2022, according to figures from the AAA and Oil Price Information Service. This current average stands just 7.3 cents below the county's record high of $6.458, which was established on October 5, 2022.
Over the past 40 days, Orange County has seen an increase of 81 cents in average gasoline prices, including a 4.6-cent rise on Saturday alone. Compared to previous periods, the average price is 20.5 cents higher than one week ago, 73.2 cents more than one month ago, and a substantial $1.688 more than one year ago.
Neighboring Los Angeles County has also experienced a similar upward trend, with its average price for self-serve regular gasoline increasing for the 40th straight day. On Sunday, the price rose by 1.3 cents to $6.40, its highest amount since October 10, 2022. This figure is just 9.3 cents shy of Los Angeles County's record high of $6.493, set on October 5, 2022.
Cumulatively, Los Angeles County has seen a 75.8-cent increase in gas prices over the last 40 days, with a 5.1-cent rise noted on Saturday. Prices are 19.8 cents more than one week ago, 69.5 cents more than one month ago, and $1.675 more than one year ago, based on data from AAA and Oil Price Information Service.
Both Orange and Los Angeles counties have seen significant price increases since February 28. This date is attributed in the source material to "the start of the joint U.S./Israel war on Iran," an event reported to have sent oil prices higher and drastically accelerated increases at the gas pump. Orange County's average price has increased $1.749 since that date, while Los Angeles County's average has risen $1.706.
In contrast to local trends, the national average price for self-serve regular gasoline saw a slight decline of eight-tenths of a cent to $4.479. Despite this recent dip, the national average is still three-tenths of a cent higher than one week ago, 38 cents more than one month ago, and $1.342 more than one year ago. The national average has also increased by $1.497 since the reported start of the war on Iran. Patrick De Haan, head of petroleum analysis at GasBuddy, noted that the national average price is currently at its highest amount "this late in the calendar year."
