Los Angeles Faces Surge in Gas Prices

News Summary

Residents in Los Angeles are grappling with rising gas prices, with a gallon costing approximately $4.579, the highest since July. This marks the sixth consecutive day of increases, driven by oil supply cuts and refinery issues. Even Orange County is not far behind, with prices reaching $4.552. Factors such as Saudi Arabian and Russian oil supply cuts, along with flooding in Libya, are exacerbating the situation. While relief may come later this month, experts warn of potential future hikes, driven by taxes and stricter fuel standards.

Los Angeles Gears Up for Soaring Gas Prices

In Los Angeles, residents are facing a significant hike in gas prices, with the cost of a gallon of self-serve regular gasoline hitting approximately $4.579. This figure marks the highest price since early July and is part of an ongoing trend that seems to be affecting motorists across the region.

Price Increases with No Signs of Slowing Down

It’s hard to sugarcoat it—prices at the pump have been climbing sharply for the past week. In fact, this marks the sixth consecutive day of price hikes, with a total jump of 10.3 cents during that span. Just this past Sunday, the price nudged up by another 1 cent. When you compare prices to just a week ago, it’s a 9.7-cent rise, and they’re also up 10.4 cents from a month ago. Even more staggering is that prices have ticked up 1.3 cents since this time last year!

For a little context, just under a year ago, drivers were gasping at a record high of $6.493 on October 5, 2022. Fortunately, prices have decreased by $1.914 since then, but with the current trajectory, we may see that relief slip away.

Orange County Not Far Behind

Orange County, prices are also on an upward trend, reaching an average of $4.552. This is the highest it’s been since late June, following an increase of 0.8 cents just recently. Similar to Los Angeles, Orange County has faced rising fuel costs for five straight days, amassing an increase of 10.9 cents. When you look at the numbers, prices there are up 10.2 cents since last week, 13 cents more than a month ago, and 6.9 cents higher compared to last year.

National and Global Context – What’s Going On?

$3.161. This marks another consecutive day of increases, with a total rise of 3.1 cents in the last six days alone. When we compare this to national averages a week ago, prices have gone up 2.4 cents but are down 19.2 cents from a year ago.

So what’s causing all this turmoil? A few key factors are at play: oil supply cuts from Saudi Arabia and Russia have significantly impacted the market, coupled with severe flooding in Libya that has hampered oil exports. Additionally, refinery issues in California are causing major concerns, with some plants undergoing planned or unplanned maintenance that’s reducing inventory and driving up costs for consumers.

Hope on the Horizon?

winter blend fuel at the end of October, which is historically cheaper. In the meantime, keeping your vehicle well-maintained and avoiding heavy loads can help drivers stretch their dollars at the pump.

The Road Ahead

California gas excise tax is set to rise from 59.6 cents to 61.2 cents per gallon starting July 1. Moreover, stricter fuel standards could drive up prices significantly in the years to come. Experts are predicting that, unless circumstances change, gas prices could soar up to $8 per gallon by 2026, attributed to declining supplies and refinery closures.

Deeper Dive: News & Info About This Topic

HERE Resources

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Additional Resources

• Los Angeles Times
• Wikipedia: Gasoline
• NBC Los Angeles
• Google Search: gas prices California
• ABC7 News
• Google Scholar: California gas prices
• My News LA
• Encyclopedia Britannica: gas prices

Author: STAFF HERE HUNTINGTON BEACH

The Huntington Beach Staff Writer represents the experienced team at HEREHuntingtonBeach.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Huntington Beach, Orange County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as the Huntington Beach Surf City USA Marathon, the U.S. Open of Surfing, Fourth of July celebrations at the Huntington Beach Pier, and community festivals at Huntington Beach Central Park. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Huntington Beach Chamber of Commerce and Visit Huntington Beach, plus leading businesses in retail, hospitality, and outdoor recreation that drive the local economy. As part of the broader HERE network, including HEREAnaheim.com, HERECostaMesa.com, HERESantaAna.com, and HERELosAngeles.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into Southern California's dynamic landscape.