Southland Gasoline Prices Rise to Highest Level Since May

The average price of a gallon of self-serve regular gasoline in Los Angeles County rose 5.9 cents today to $4.245 -- its highest amount since May 14 of last year -- a day after its largest daily increase since at least 2010.

The sharp increases -- Thursday's hike was 7.3 cents -- are the result of a major fire at the Cherry Point refinery near Blaine, Wash., that will cause its closure for at least three weeks and reduce the supply, Marie Montgomery of the Automobile Club of Southern California told City News Service.

The price had already been increasing because of rising oil prices and the closure of some California refineries for maintenance, according to analysts.

The average price has increased 18 consecutive days and 30 times in 31 days and is 24.9 cents more than one week ago, 50.1 cents higher than a month ago and 64.1 cents greater than a year ago, according to figures from the AAA and Oil Price Information Service.

The Orange County average price rose 5.7 cents to $4.243, its highest amount since May 11, one day after its largest daily increase since at least 2010, 8.1 cents.

The Orange County average price is 25.4 cents more than one week ago, 50.4 cents higher than a month ago and 64.7 cents greater than a year ago. It has increased 34 of the past 36 days, rising 52.5 cents during that span.

WHERE ARE THE LOWEST GAS PRICES IN CERRITOS AND ARTESIA?

Cerritos and Artesia residents can visit the Patch Traffic and Gas page by clicking here, to find the lowest prices at the pump in our neighborhood.

- City News Service