LOS ANGELES (CNS) - The average price of a gallon of self-serve regular gasoline in Los Angeles County surpassed $4 for the first time since Nov. 16, 2019 today, rising 1 cent to $4.009.
The average price has risen five of the past six days, increasing 3.2 cents, including 1.3 cents on Friday, the largest daily increase since March 13, according to figures from the AAA and Oil Price Information Service.
The average price is 3.5 cents more than one week ago, 9.6 cents higher than one month ago and $1.107 greater than one year ago. It has risen 77.7 cents since the start of the year, mainly because of a run of 59 increases in 60 days totaling 57.9 cents that ended March 21.
The average price has exceeded $4 because of ``the continued recovery of fuel demand in Southern California and anticipation that demand will only grow once more pandemic-related restrictions are lifted" and oil prices continuing to stay at higher levels which adds to the cost of producing gasoline, according to Marie Montgomery, a public relations specialist with the Automobile Club of Southern California.
The Orange County average price rose for the fifth consecutive day, increasing a half-cent to $3.981, its highest amount since Nov. 14, 2019. It has increased 3.1 cents over the past five days, including 2.2 cents on Friday, its largest daily increase since March 6.
The Orange County average price is 3.1 cents more than one week ago, 8.3 cents higher than one month ago and $1.112 greater than one year ago. It has risen 77.3 cents since the start of the year mainly because of a run of 72 increases in 73 days totaling 68.1 cents that ended March 20.
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