Southern California gas prices up 15 cents, the largest daily increase since 2012
Gas prices leaped again overnight, rising more than 15 cents – the largest daily increase since 2012.
The average price of a gallon of self-serve regular gas in Los Angeles County is now $6.26. Gas prices have risen more than 98 cents in one month.
In Orange County, that price also spiked nearly 16 cents to $6.25. Ventura County and the Inland Empire also saw sharp price hikes at $6.21 and $6.11, respectively.
"Unreal. Overnight," Paul Reyes said wearily as he waited to fill up at a Sam's Club in El Monte. He says he filled up for $5.09 at Sam's Club in El Monte, but now that same gas is $5.39 -- which is still kind of a deal compared to non-club stations.
Gas prices dropped steadily from mid-June through August, giving drivers some hope that prices could finally make their way under $5. They got close, but started to rise in September – even as gas prices continued to drop across the country.
Those average prices have seen their steepest hikes in just the past week – a jump of 7 cents over the weekend, 12 cents on Tuesday, then 15 cents just a day later.
Russia's invasion of Ukraine sent gas prices skyrocketing across the country and was especially painful in Southern California. The day before the Ukraine invasion, local gas prices were an average of $4.79. They hit a record high of $6.46 on June 12, according to the Auto Club.
According to the Auto Club's Doug Shupe, refineries usually go offline for maintenance in the spring -- but because of the war-fueled price increases this year, companies pushed their maintenance to fall to avoid making things worse.
In addition to the War in Ukraine lowering global reserves and refinery maintenance, legislation has prevented suppliers from distributing cheaper winter blend gas until later in the fall creating an even tighter strain on available resources.
"It kind of is the perfect storm of refinery issues and supply constraints right now," said Gasbuddy spokesperson Nicole Petersen. "And gas station owners are reacting to wholesale prices spiking on them."
Prices are likely to keep rising until all refineries are fully operational again, which could take a few more weeks, Shupe said.
Drivers can also look forward to November when stations start selling the cheaper winter blend of gasoline. The switch usually brings prices down about 15 to 20 cents per gallon.
