Orange County residents are facing continued increases at the pump as the average price of a gallon of self-serve regular gasoline rose for the 26th consecutive day on Sunday, increasing 1 cent to $6.008. This marks the highest price point seen since May 29. Over the past 26 days, the Orange County average price has climbed by 43.3 cents, including a 4.4-cent increase on Saturday. Current prices are 13.4 cents higher than one week ago, 41.3 cents more than one month ago, and $1.316 higher than one year ago. The average price has increased $1.372 since the start of the war on Iran.
Neighboring Los Angeles County has experienced a similar trend, with its average price also rising for the 26th consecutive day. On Sunday, the average price increased 1.7 cents to $6.038, making it the highest since June 2. According to figures from the AAA and Oil Price Information Service, the average price in Los Angeles County has risen 39.6 cents over the past 26 days, including a 4.8-cent jump on Saturday. It is 14.1 cents more than one week ago, 38.4 cents more than one month ago, and $1.331 more than one year ago. Since the start of the war on Iran, the average price has increased $1.344.
Doug Shupe, the media and public relations manager for the Automobile Club of Southern California, released a statement Thursday attributing the increases to global factors. Shupe noted that "Oil prices are now near or over $100 a barrel due to continued supply concerns related to the Middle East conflict, and that has pushed up pump prices locally and nationally."
Nationally, the average price of gasoline has also been on an upward trajectory, rising for the 13th time in 14 days. The national average increased three-tenths of a cent to $4.313. This national average is 16.6 cents more than one week ago, 24.2 cents more than one month ago, and $1.134 more than one year ago. It has increased $1.331 since the attack on Iran. The AAA further commented that the national average is increasing during a season when gas prices typically decline due to lower gasoline demand. Patrick De Haan, head of petroleum analysis at GasBuddy, observed that the national average price is currently at its highest amount this late in the calendar year.
