LOS ANGELES (KABC) — The average price of a gallon of regular gasoline for self-service in Los Angeles County rose seven-tenths of a cent Monday to a record $6.466, surpassing the previous high of $6.462 set on June 14.
The average price has risen $1.22 for 31 consecutive days, including 1 cent on Sunday and 15.3 cents on Thursday, the largest daily increase since a record 19.2 cent increase on Oct. 5, 2012, according to figures from the AAA and of the Oil Price Information Service.
Sunday’s and Monday’s hikes are the smallest since a half-cent hike on Sept. 19.
The average price is 62.6 cents more than a week ago, $1.202 more than a month ago and $2.05 more than a year ago.
The streak of gains follows a series of 78 declines in 80 days totaling $1.216 that began on June 15, a day after the median price rose to a record $6.462.
Orange County’s median price rose a tenth of a cent to $6,423 a day after falling seven tenths of a cent. It rose 4.3 cents on Saturday to a record $6.429, beating the previous June 12 high of $6.41.
Sunday’s decline ended a 12-day streak of gains totaling $1,033, including a 15.9 cent rise on Thursday, the largest daily rise since the record 19.5 cent rise on Oct. 5, 2012.
The median price in Orange County is 59.2 cents more than a week ago, $1.23 more than a month ago and $2.044 more than a year ago.
The soaring prices are the result of insufficient supply to meet demand, due in part to reduced gasoline production from refineries under maintenance, Marie Montgomery, public relations specialist at the Automobile Club of Southern California, told the City News Service .
Gov. Gavin Newsom has asked refiners to switch to their winter blended gas earlier than normal. The mix is usually cheaper, but analysts say it’s unclear how soon drivers will see this change at the pump.
Meanwhile, some relief from gas rebate audits for Californians who have filed their 2020 tax returns could soon come.
Controls could be introduced as early as Friday.
The national average for a gallon of gasoline is $3.79.
The City News Service contributed to this report.
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