OC Gas Prices Plummet; See Highest, Lowest Prices In Laguna Niguel

LAGUNA NIGUEL, CA — The average price for a gallon of regular gas fell across Laguna Niguel to its lowest level since at least 2019 on Thursday, according to the latest figures from AAA.

Across Orange County, the average price has dropped 61.2 cents over the past 15 days, including 6.4 cents Wednesday, following a run of 15 increases in 16 days totaling $1.063 that ended Oct. 6.

It is 36 cents less than one week ago, but 35.5 cents more than one month ago and $1.286 higher than one year ago.

"Prices are rapidly dropping because the supply and refinery issues that caused them to skyrocket in September and early October were resolved when the state allowed early sales of winter blend gasoline, easing the supply crisis," Marie Montgomery, a public relations specialist with the Automobile Club of Southern California, told City News Service.

In Laguna Niguel on Thursday, the closest cheap gas could be found at Mobil station at 30061 Alicia Pkwy. at $5.59 per self serve gallon of regular gasoline, according to GasBuddy.

The highest prices could be found at the Shell Station on 30011 Crown Valley Pkwy. at $6.09 per regular gallon, GasBuddy reported.

After months of declining gas prices over the summer, prices catapulted to a record high in early October. On Oct. 5, California’s average price for a gallon of gasoline was a whopping $6.42. Montgomery told Patch that the prices were “almost unheard of.”

Prices began falling after Newsom allowed oil refineries to begin selling the more polluting winter-blend gasoline ahead of schedule to ease soaring fuel prices barrelling perilously toward an unprecedented $7 high. Stations normally cannot start selling winter blend gas until Nov. 1.
Earlier this month, Newsom also called on state lawmakers to pass a new tax on oil company profits and return the money to California taxpayers.

"They're ripping you off," he said of the oil industry.

READ MORE: CA's 'Unheard Of' Gas Prices Spike Again: 5 Things To Know

Across the nation, the average price dropped for the eighth time in nine days, decreasing 1.8 cents to $3.836. It has dropped 8.7 cents over the past nine days, including 1.6 cents Wednesday. The national average price dropped five consecutive days, was unchanged Monday and resumed dropping Tuesday.

The national average price is 7.7 cents less than one week ago, but 16.2 cents more than one month ago and 47.9 cents higher than one year ago. It is $1.18 less than the record $5.016 set June 14.
City News Service contributed to this report.