The average price for a gallon of regular gas in California has climbed by 35 cents over the past week as oil prices continue to soar globally this week.
The average price for a gallon of regular in Los Angeles County Monday was at $5.597, up 38 cents from a week ago with similar increases in other California counties. One month ago, the average price was $4.612 in LA County.
The highest recorded average price in Los Angeles County is $6.495 on Oct. 5, 2022.
Statewide on Monday, the price for a gallon of regular gas stood at $5.509. As usual, that’s higher than the national average at $3.699.
The state’s highest recorded average price is $6.438 on June 14, 2022.
Some of the highest fuel prices were in coastal counties, including San Luis Obispo ($5.637/gallon), Monterey ($5.631), San Mateo ($5.685), Marin ($5.693), Sonoma ($5.668) and Humboldt ($5.857).
Some of the lowest prices were in northeastern California, including Modoc ($5.222), Lassen ($5.196), Shasta ($5.288), Tehama ($5.166) and Butte ($5.298). Imperial County’s average price was $5.273.
The gas savings site GasBuddy.com tracks the lowest fuel prices by neighborhood.
Here’s a county-by-county breakdown of Thursday’s Southern California fuel prices (gallon of regular) compared to one week, month and year ago.
Los Angeles County
Current: $5.597
One week ago: $5.221
One month ago: $4.612
One year ago: $4.660
Orange County
Current: $5.558
One week ago: $5.211
One month ago: $4.535
One year ago: $4.626
Riverside County
Current: $5.482
One week ago: $5.104
One month ago: $4.460
One year ago: $4.483
San Bernardino County
Current: $5.479
One week ago: $5.108
One month ago: $4.452
One year ago: $4.500
Ventura County
Current: $5.548
One week ago: $5.162
One month ago: $4.544
One year ago: $4.655
The International Energy Agency said in its monthly report released Thursday that the war in Iran is “creating the largest supply disruption in the history of the global oil market.” The agency said oil being transported through the crucial Strait of Hormuz was reduced to “a trickle.”
Iran has threatened to attack U.S. Israeli or allied ships attempting to use the strait, where a fifth of the world’s oil typically passes. Any changes in shipping activity in the strait connecting the Persian Gulf to the Gulf of Oman and the Arabian Sea has a significant impact on global oil prices.
Last week, the agency released a record 400 million barrels in an attempt to counter the slowdown. The release was considered a “stop-gap measure,” officials said.
On Sunday, Energy Secretary Chris Wright said there’s “a very good chance” gas prices could drop below $3 per gallon by summer. Wright predicted that in “a few more weeks” the U.S. will have “removed the risk” of Iran’s continued global energy supplies threat.
Gas sold in California is a blend of 90 percent petroleum based gasoline, as required by the California Air Resources Board, and 10 percent ethanol. More than 90 percent of the gasoline consumed in California comes from in-state refineries, according to the state Energy Commission.
Below, some fuel saving tips.
Start by checking your car’s tires
It’s something drivers should do regularly anyway — after all, that’s where the rubber meets the road. Beyond making safety sense, properly inflated tires can help save fuel. A low tire increases the amount of fuel used. Look on the inside of your car’s door panel to find the correct PSI. Modern passenger cars usually have a PSI in the 30s.
Avoid the restaurant drive-thru line
The fast-food drive-thru might sound quick and easy, but you’re burning fuel while you wait. If your car is stopped for more than 60 seconds, shut off the engine, AAA recommends. Many new cars come with automatic start-stop to do the job for you.
Not so fast. It’s a major drag
Again, safety should be motivation enough to travel at sensible speeds. But it can also help save fuel. On freeways, aerodynamic drag causes fuel economy to drop off as speeds increase above 50 mph, AAA says.
Smooth and steady wins the fuel savings race
Think smooth and steady at the stop light. Unless you’re on a Formula 1 grid, hard acceleration when the light turns is a bad idea, especially for fuel economy. Smooth acceleration allows an automatic transmission to upshift sooner, lowering engine RPM and saving gas. If you have a manual transmission, upshift as soon as you can without ‘lugging’ the engine.
Easy does it when stopping
There’s no need to hurry up and wait, so AAA recommends taking your foot off the gas early and allowing the car to gradually and safely coast to a slower speed until its time to brake for a stop sign or stop light.
Cruising helps avoid a bruising at the pump
Using cruise control will help you maintain a constant speed instead of regularly slowing down and speeding up on the freeway. Just don’t use it on slippery roads.
Stash the roof rack
Try to limit your use of roof racks and other carriers. On the highway, an empty bike, canoe or ski rack can hurt fuel economy.
Cool it without the air conditioning
AAA says it’s best to minimize your use of air conditioning. Open windows have less impact on fuel economy than the engine power required to run the air conditioning compressor, even at highway speeds.
Stop trippin’
Try to pack as many errands as possible into one trip from home instead of making multiple trips. All that driving around is wasting gas.
Premium v. regular gas
The recommendations above are all things drivers can do on the road, but there’s one thing AAA recommends at the fuel pump. The agency says its research shows that unless your vehicle’s manufacturer specifically recommends more expensive premium fuel, it provides no added benefit over less expensive regular. So, check your car’s manual or the inside of the gas tank lid.
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