Just in Time for Holiday Travel: Average LA County Gas Price Records Largest Increase Since April 7

The average price of a gallon of self-serve regular gasoline in Los Angeles County rose Friday for the eighth consecutive day after dropping six of the previous seven days, increasing 1.8 cents to $4.891.

The increase was the largest since a 1.8-cent increase April 7, according to figures from the AAA and the Oil Price Information Service. The average price has risen 6.3 cents over the past eight days, including three- tenths of a cent Thursday, which Doug Shupe, the Automobile Club of Southern California’s corporate communications manager, attributes to higher demand prompted by the Memorial Day weekend.

The average price is 4.6 cents more than one week ago but 2.9 cents less than one month ago and $1.202 lower than one year ago. It has dropped $1.603 since rising to a record $6.494 on Oct. 5.

The average price dropped 2.4 cents during its run of six decreases in seven days.

The national average price dropped two-tenths of a cent to $3.572 after rising 3.1 cents over the previous two days, including 1.8 cents Wednesday, its largest daily increase since the 2.4-cent increase April 13.

The national average price is 3.1 cents more than one week ago but 7.4 cents less than one month ago and $1.028 lower than one year ago. It has dropped $1.444 since rising to a record $5.016 on June 14.

“The rise in demand for gasoline is helping to push pump prices higher for now,” said Andrew Gross, an AAA national public relations manager. “But the increase is mitigated by the low cost of oil, which is wobbling around in the low $70s per barrel. Pump prices could stabilize or fall once this long weekend is in the rearview mirror.”