SAN DIEGO COUNTY, Calif. — The average price of a gallon of self-serve regular gasoline in San Diego County recorded its largest increase since July 11, 2015, Thursday, rising 15.7 cents to $6.20, its highest amount since July 5.
The average price has risen 13 consecutive days and 26 of the past 27, increasing 97.8 cents, including 14.3 cents Wednesday and 11.6 cents Tuesday, according to figures from the AAA and the Oil Price Information Service. It is 67.1 cents more than one week ago, 95.7 cents higher than one month ago and $1.847 greater than one year ago.
Despite the current run of increases, the average price has dropped 33 cents since rising to the record $6.373 June 15.
"A string of planned and unplanned refinery maintenance issues has severely tightened fuel supply in California," said Doug Shupe, the Automobile Club of Southern California's corporate communications manager. "West Coast fuel inventories are at the lowest level in about a decade according to Energy Information Administration.
"Until the refineries are fully operational again, supply is going to be tight and will cause pump prices to be volatile."
There may be "some relief" in November when stations are again allowed to sell winter-blend gas which is cheaper to produce, Shupe told City News Service.
The national average price rose for the ninth consecutive day following a 98-day streak of decreases totaling $1.342, increasing 1.7 cents to $3.782. It has risen 10.8 cents over the past nine days, including 1.8 cents Wednesday.
The national average price is 9.8 cents more than one week ago and 59.4 cents higher than one year ago but 6.8 cents less than one month ago.
The national average price is $1.234 less than the record $5.016 set June 14.