Southern California gas prices approach all-time records

Gasoline prices in Southern California are approaching record highs. In Los Angeles County, the average price for self-serve regular gasoline rose to $6.387, placing it within 10.6 cents of its October 2022 record. Similarly, Orange County prices reached $6.369, just 8.9 cents shy of its all-time high, while San Diego County averaged $6.371, within 6.3 cents of its record.

These regional increases follow a period of sustained growth, with prices in Los Angeles and Orange Counties rising for 39 consecutive days. Analysts attribute the upward trend to crude oil costs and volatility in the Strait of Hormuz. Since the onset of the joint U.S./Israel conflict involving Iran on February 28, regional prices have seen significant increases compared to previous years.

Nationally, the average gas price saw a slight decrease of four-tenths of a cent to $4.487, though it remains higher than the same period last year.