Watch CBS News

Gas Prices Continue To Rise, Highest Since 2012

LOS ANGELES (CBSLA) — A gallon of self-serve regular gasoline in Los Angeles County increased 1.3 cents to $4.464, the highest in nearly a decade. 

"The last time that prices were this high, it was in response to a shortage of summer blend gasoline and the governor (Jerry Brown) stepped in to allow early sales of winter blend to alleviate the crisis," said Automobile Club of Southern California spokesperson Jeffrey Spring. 

"This year, there is not a shortage crisis, and the high prices are due to a combination of higher oil prices, inflationary pressures which add to higher overhead costs for gas stations, carbon costs for refineries and higher taxes."

According to AAA and the Oil Price Information Service, gas prices are at their highest since Oct. 22, 2012. Prices have

California Drivers Rev Up Gasoline Demand In Biggest State
A person wearing a protective mask holds a fuel pump nozzle at a Chevron Corp. gas station in San Francisco, California, U.S., on Thursday, March 11, 2021. Northern Californians are taking to the open road in much greater numbers, an early signal that gasoline demand may be returning a year after the pandemic paralyzed the economy. Photographer: David Paul Morris/Bloomberg via Getty Images

steadily increased with a gallon of gas increasing $1.273 since last year. Recently, prices are 2.9 cents higher than a week ago and 6.3 cents greater than a month ago. 

Orange County followed the same trend reporting new highs since Oct. 2012. The average price rose 2 cents to $4.433 — an increase of 2.9 cents since last week, 7.5 cents since last month and  $1.277 since last year.

(© Copyright 2020 CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved. City News Service contributed to this report.)

 

View CBS News In
CBS News App Open
Chrome Safari Continue
Be the first to know
Get browser notifications for breaking news, live events, and exclusive reporting.