Gas Prices at Highest Level Since 2008

The average price of a gallon of self-serve regular gasoline in Los Angeles County increased Friday for the 36th time in 38 days, City News Service reported.

The average rose nine-tenths of one cent to hit $4.246, the highest it's been since Aug. 1, 2008.

The price of self-serve regular gasoline is now 2.7 cents higher than last week, 19.7 cents higher than last month and $1.141 higher than it was a year ago, according to figures from the AAA and Oil Price Information Service.

The average price is 38 cents less than the record high of $4.626 set on June 21, 2008.

"Wholesale gasoline and crude oil continue to trade at high levels, and so far, we haven't seen a precipitous drop in those prices, which help determine how much consumers pay at the pump," Jeffrey Spring of the Automobile Club of
Southern California told CNS.

Crude oil prices account for up to three-quarters of the price of gasoline, according to Tupper Hull of the Western States Petroleum Association. Prices for crude oil have been fluctuating lately because of conflict in the Middle East.

Nevertheless, it's still possible to find gas stations in Manhattan Beach and adjacent cities with lower-than-average fuel prices. According to GasBuddy.com and AOL Autos, these are the stations selling the cheapest regular gas:

• Arco, 1002 Manhattan Beach Boulevard at Dianthus Street, Manhattan Beach

  Price per gallon: $4.19
• Thrifty, 5230 Rosecrans Avenue at Hindry Avenue, Hawthorne
  PPG: $4.19
• Mobil, 11865 Manhattan Beach Boulevard and Aviation Boulevard, Manhattan Beach
  PPG: $4.23
• Chevron, 601 Vista del Mar at 45th Street, Manhattan Beach
  PPG: $4.31
• Chevron, 3633 N. Sepulveda Boulevard at Rosecrans Avenue
  PPG: $4.33

City News Service contributed to this report.