News Summary
Gas prices in Los Angeles County have surged, now averaging $4.927 per gallon, the highest since June. California’s average reached $4.95, up by 20 cents over the week. The price rise is attributed to the transition to summer blend gasoline and refinery shortages, including an explosion affecting supply. Despite the increase, prices remain lower than last year. Residents are advised to stay informed and maintain their vehicles to avoid additional costs as prices continue to fluctuate.
Gas Prices Spike in Los Angeles County and Throughout California
Hey there, Los Angeles! If you’ve recently filled up your gas tank, you might have noticed a little shock at the pump. That’s right, gas prices are on the rise again. The average price for a gallon of self-serve regular gasoline in Los Angeles County has jumped by four-tenths of a cent, now sitting at a whopping $4.927. This is the highest price we’ve seen since June 6. If you’re planning a road trip anytime soon, you’ll want to keep reading!
California’s Fuel Landscape
Making matters more interesting, the average price for gasoline across California hit $4.95, marking an increase of 20 cents just from last week. But don’t panic just yet; prices are still about 32 cents lower than they were this time last year. That’s some relief, right?
What’s Behind the Price Hike?
So why the sudden increase? Well, a few different factors are swirling around like a perfect storm. According to experts, we’re currently transitioning to the summer blend gasoline, a process that typically adds an extra 15 to 20 cents per gallon to our fuel costs. With more folks heading out on longer road trips and the summer travel season in full swing, demand is higher than usual.
Additionally, there are shortages at refineries this year, which hasn’t helped the situation. Just recently, there was an explosion at a refinery in Northern California that has significantly constrained supplies. As it stands, three of the five refineries in that region are not operational, causing ripples that impact fuel availability across the state.
Daily Price Increases
In fact, the average gas price has gone up for 14 of the last 15 days, combining to a total increase of 27.8 cents. To break it down further, prices jumped 16.3 cents in the last week alone and soared by 19 cents compared to last month. While this may sound alarming, they are still lower by about 35.7 cents compared to the same time last year. A silver lining, perhaps?
Orange County Also Feeling the Pinch
Over in Orange County, things look a tad similar. The average price has remained steady at $4.889, making it the highest it’s been since June 3. Over the course of the past week, prices rose by 15.2 cents, even though they are still 37 cents lower than a year ago. So while prices are creeping upwards, we can take comfort in knowing it could be worse!
A National Perspective
Get Prepared!
As motorists, it’s essential to stay on top of your vehicle maintenance so that you’re not adding to your fuel costs. Don’t forget to shop around for the best prices, as they can largely vary from station to station. Residents throughout Los Angeles and beyond are expressing a fair bit of resignation about these rising gas prices, and with market experts suggesting that tighter supplies could lead to even more increases in the coming weeks, it’s best to prepare yourself.
In conclusion, while the current spike in gas prices can be disheartening, the silver lining is that you may not have to empty your wallet as much as you did last year. Whatever your plans for the upcoming days, make sure to keep an eye on those gas prices!
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