Los Angeles County average gas price rises to record high of $6.46

LOS ANGELES (KABC) — The average price of a gallon of self-serve regular gasoline in Los Angeles County rose seven-tenths of a cent to a record $6,466 Monday, topping the previous high of $6,462 set June 14.

The average price has risen for 31 straight days, gaining $1.22, including 1 cent on Sunday and 15.3 cents on Thursday, the biggest daily increase since a record 19.2 cents rise on Oct. 5, 2012, according to figures from AAA and Oil Price Information Service.

The increases on Sunday and Monday are the smallest since the half-cent increase on 19 September.

The average price is 62.6 cents more than a week ago, $1[ads1].202 higher than a month ago and $2.05 higher than a year ago.

The string of increases follows a streak of 78 decreases over 80 days totaling $1,216 that began June 15, a day after the average price rose to a record high of $6,462.

The average price in Orange County rose one-tenth of a cent to $6.423, one day after falling seven-tenths of a cent. It rose 4.3 cents on Saturday to a record high of $6.429, topping the previous high of $6.41 set on June 12.

Sunday’s decline ended a 12-day streak of gains totaling $1.033, including a 15.9-cent gain on Thursday, the largest daily gain since a record 19.5-cent gain on Oct. 5, 2012.

The average price in Orange County is 59.2 cents more than a week ago, $1.23 higher than a month ago and $2.044 higher than a year ago.

The rising prices are the result of insufficient supply to meet demand, caused in part by reduced production of gasoline from refineries undergoing maintenance, Marie Montgomery, a public relations specialist at the Automobile Club of Southern California, told City News Service.

Governor Gavin Newsom has asked refineries to switch to winter blended gas earlier than normal. The blend is usually cheaper, but analysts say it’s unclear how soon drivers will see this change at the pump.

Meanwhile, some relief may soon come through gas rebate checks for Californians who filed their 2020 tax returns.

Checks can be rolled out as early as Friday.

The national average for a gallon of gas is $3.79.

City News Service contributed to this report.