October 3, 2022 4:30pm
Updated: October 4, 2022 9:15am
The average price of a gallon of unleaded regular gas in Los Angeles County rose to a record high of $6.466 on Monday, inching out the previous record from June.
The average price has risen 31 days in a row, reports Fox 11. It has increased a total of $1.22 over that period, including a 15.3-cent increase on Thursday – topping a 15.1-cent increase in July 2015 and the largest since a 19.2-cent hike in Oct. 2012.
Two small increases on Sunday and Monday were the smallest since a half-cent in crease Sept. 19, but they were enough to bring the average price of gas in the county above the previous high of $6.462 on June 14.
Marie Montgomery, a public relations specialist with the Automobile Club of Southern California, told City News Service that the rising prices are the result of insufficient supply to meet demand caused in part by reduced production of gasoline from refineries undergoing maintenance.
The average price of gas nationwide rose three-tenths of a cent to $3.799. It fell below $4 a gallon in August – the first time since March.
In July, a statewide poll of Californians found Latino and Black residents were the most likely to report financial hardship from recent gas prices.
The new LA County record comes after almost 80 days of falling gas prices that began June 15 – one day after the previous record high.
California Gov. Gavin Newsom attempted to delay an annual gas tax increase earlier this year but failed to get a measure through the state legislature.
Neighboring Orange County’s average price hit a record high of $6.429 on Saturday. On Monday, the average price there sits at $6.423.
