There has been a sudden jump in gas prices in May, rising nearly 15 cents in two weeks.
The average price of a gallon of self-serve regular gas in Los Angeles County posted the biggest increase since February 25, rising 2.2 cents to $5.919.
According to data from AAA and the Oil Price Information Service, the average price has risen for 16 consecutive days, an increase of 14.7 cents. The streak follows 28 descending orders for a total of 29.6 cents over 30 days.
The average price is 6.7 cents higher than a week ago, 8.7 cents higher than a month ago, and $1.753 higher than a year ago. It is 15.1 cents lower than the record high of $6.07 set on March 28.
According to the Oil Price Information Service, “Philips 66 Wilmington Refinery has been undergoing planned maintenance for nearly a month, maintaining upward pressure on local prices,” said Doug Shupe, Corporate Communications Manager for the Automobile Club of Southern California. .
The Orange County average price posted its biggest increase since February 2, rising 3.2 cents to $5.874. It has risen in 15 of the past 16 days, rising 16.3 cents, including six-tenths on Thursday.
The county’s median price is 7.3 cents higher than a week ago, 8.5 cents more than a month ago, and $1.748 more than a year ago. It is 14.5 cents lower than the record high of $6.029 set on March 29.
In Riverside County, prices rose 1.4 cents on Friday for the 16th day in a row, the biggest increase since April 30. The average price has risen 12.2 cents to $5.827 over the past 16 days. The rising price streak follows eight losses totaling 3.2 cents in 10 days.
San Bernardino County prices are 33 cents higher than a month ago. Prices hit $5.830 a gallon on Friday, up 5 cents in a week.
The average price is 5.3 cents higher than a week ago, 6.7 cents higher than a month ago, and $1.75 higher than a year ago. That’s 14.4 cents lower than the record high of $5.971 set on March 29.
The national average price rose 1.4 cents to a record $4.432 on Friday, eroding the previous record on Thursday.
“Another phenomenon that has occurred during this latest price run-up is that premium gasoline has become even more expensive than regular-grade gasoline,” Shupe said. “The Auto Club’s Automotive Research Center has found that if your vehicle’s manual recommends only premium fuel and does not require it, the vehicle will operate safely and efficiently with much less expensive regular gas.”
