The average price of a gallon of self-serve regular gasoline in Orange County reached $6.224 on Tuesday, marking its highest level since Oct. 2, 2023. This increase of 3.2 cents on Tuesday continues a trend of rising prices that has impacted residents across the county, including Irvine.
Orange County's average gasoline price has now increased for 35 consecutive days. Over this period, the price has risen by 64.9 cents. The increase on Monday alone was 1.2 cents. Looking at broader trends, the current average price is 18.7 cents more than one week ago and 61.7 cents higher than one month ago. Compared to one year ago, a gallon of gas in Orange County costs $1.518 more.
These figures, reported by AAA and the Oil Price Information Service, indicate a sustained upward movement in fuel costs. The data specifies that the average price in Orange County has increased by $1.588 since Feb. 28, which marks the start of the war on Iran. This event is stated to have significantly accelerated increases at the gas pump by sending oil prices higher.
Neighboring Los Angeles County has experienced a similar trajectory. The average price there rose 2.3 cents on Tuesday to $6.241, also its highest amount since Oct. 3, 2023. Like Orange County, Los Angeles County has seen 35 consecutive days of price increases, totaling 59.9 cents over that period. On Monday, the average price in Los Angeles County rose by 1.6 cents.
In Los Angeles County, the current average price is 18.1 cents more than one week ago and 57.7 cents higher than one month ago. Compared to one year ago, the price is $1.50 greater. Similar to Orange County, the Los Angeles County average price has increased by $1.547 since the start of the joint U.S./Israel war on Iran on Feb. 28. This geopolitical event is cited in the data as a factor that sent oil prices higher and drastically accelerated increases at the gas pump in the region.
The national average price for a gallon of self-serve regular gasoline, however, saw a slight decrease on Tuesday. It dropped three-tenths of a cent to $4.475, ending a run of 21 increases over 22 days that had totaled 40.1 cents. Prior to this, the national average had increased for five consecutive days, dropped two-tenths of a cent on Sept. 5, and then resumed rising the following day.
Despite this recent slight dip, the national average price remains significantly higher than previous periods. It is 14.7 cents more than one week ago, 37.3 cents higher than one month ago, and $1.291 greater than one year ago. The national average has increased $1.493 since what the data refers to as "the attack on Iran."
Patrick De Haan, who is the head of petroleum analysis at GasBuddy, commented on the national trend. According to De Haan, the national average price is "at its highest amount this late in the calendar year." GasBuddy provides real-time gas price information, drawing data from over 150,000 stations nationwide.
The sustained increase in Orange County gasoline prices reflects broader regional trends influenced by global events. Irvine residents continue to see these elevated costs at the pump, with prices reaching levels not seen in months.
