The average price of a gallon of self-serve regular gasoline in Orange County rose Tuesday for the 14th consecutive day, increasing 1.9 cents to $5.738. According to figures from AAA and Oil Price Information Service, the county's average price has risen 16.3 cents over the past 14 days, including a two-tenths of a cent increase recorded on Monday.
The current Orange County average is 9.3 cents more than one week ago and 7.1 cents higher than one month ago. Compared to last year, the price is $1.131 greater than one year ago. Since the start of the joint U.S./Israel attack on Iran on February 28, which sent oil prices higher, the average price has increased by $1.102, significantly accelerating increases at the gas pump.
In neighboring Los Angeles County, the average price also saw its 14th consecutive daily increase, rising eight-tenths of a cent to $5.742 on Tuesday. Over the past 14 days, the average price in Los Angeles County has risen 11.2 cents, including a four-tenths of a cent increase on Monday. One week ago, the average was 6.9 cents less, and one month ago it was 4.5 cents lower. Year-over-year, the price is $1.114 greater. Since the February 28 attack on Iran, the average price in Los Angeles County has increased $1.06.
Nationally, the average price of gasoline rose 1.5 cents to $4.094 on Tuesday, following a two-tenths of a cent increase the previous day. The national average is one-tenth of a cent less than one week ago and six-tenths of a cent lower than one month ago, but 90.5 cents more than one year ago. The national average has increased $1.113 since the attack on Iran.
Patrick De Haan, head of petroleum analysis at GasBuddy, noted that the national average price is at its highest amount this late in the calendar year. In a statement released Monday, De Haan indicated that gasoline prices had decreased in over half of states in the last week, with diesel also declining, as lower oil prices offered "some modest relief at the pump."
De Haan also mentioned that the Trump administration struck a major deal with Venezuela, signaling White House concern about elevated fuel prices. However, he stated that any benefits from increased Venezuelan output would take years to fully materialize and are unlikely to move the needle in the near term. He identified ongoing developments between the U.S. and Iran and continued Ukrainian attacks on Russian oil refineries as factors exerting significant influence on global fuel markets. Motorists should expect continued volatility in the weeks ahead.
