Orange County residents are experiencing a prolonged increase in gasoline costs, with the average price of a gallon of self-serve regular gasoline rising for the 31st consecutive day. On Friday, the average price advanced 2.7 cents to $6.142, marking its highest amount since May 22.
Over the past 31 days, the average price in Orange County has increased by 56.7 cents, a trend that included a 4.6-cent rise on Thursday. Compared to figures from one week ago, prices are up 18.8 cents, and they are 56.7 cents higher than one month ago. The current average stands $1.431 greater than one year ago.
Neighboring Los Angeles County has seen a similar pattern of sustained increases. Its average price also rose for the 31st consecutive day, climbing 3 cents to $6.165 on Friday. This marks its highest amount since May 26. According to figures from the AAA and Oil Price Information Service, the average price in Los Angeles County has risen 52.3 cents over the past 31 days, including a 4.6-cent increase on Thursday. It is 19.2 cents more than one week ago, 52.3 cents higher than one month ago, and $1.435 greater than one year ago.
Both counties have seen substantial price increases since February 28, attributed in the source material to the start of what it describes as the “joint U.S./Israel war on Iran.” The average price in Orange County has increased $1.506 since this time, while Los Angeles County’s average price has risen $1.471. This event reportedly "sent oil prices higher and drastically accelerated increases at the gas pump,” according to the AAA and Oil Price Information Service.
Kandace Redd, a senior public affairs specialist for the Automobile Club of Southern California, commented on the situation in a statement released Thursday. Redd indicated that Middle East oil supply concerns continue to affect pump prices nationwide, particularly impacting states like California that import significant amounts of oil from the region. She also noted that while oil prices have "backed down somewhat from earlier this week," a much more significant drop would be necessary to influence local pump prices.
The national average price for gasoline has also trended upward, increasing for the 18th time in 19 days. On Friday, the national average rose 3 cents to $4.468, having climbed 39.1 cents over the past 19 days, including a 7.1-cent rise on Thursday. After a period of five consecutive daily increases, a slight drop on September 5, the national average resumed its ascent on September 6. It is 17.3 cents more than one week ago, 40.3 cents higher than one month ago, and $1.265 greater than one year ago. The national average has increased $1.486 since what the source material describes as the “attack on Iran.”
Patrick De Haan, head of petroleum analysis at GasBuddy, a provider of real-time gas price information, stated that the national average price is currently at its highest amount "this late in the calendar year."
