Slight Increase Pushes Average Gas Price Near Palm Desert

RIVERSIDE COUNTY, CA — The average price of a gallon of self-serve regular gasoline in Riverside County rose Friday to its highest amount since Dec. 30, increasing one-tenth of a cent to $3.277.

The average price has risen seven of the past eight days, increasing 1.5 cents, including two-tenths of a cent on both Wednesday and Thursday, according to figures from the AAA and Oil Price Information Service. None of the increases over the past eight days has been larger than four-tenths of a cent.

The average price is 1.2 cents more than one week ago and 4.1 cents higher than one month ago but 10.6 cents less than one year ago. The average price has increased by nine-tenths of a cent since the start of the year.

"Refinery issues have been kept to a minimum so far this year which has helped to keep prices unusually stable for this time of year," said Jeffrey Spring, the Automobile Club of Southern California's corporate communications manager.

— By City News Service