Gas Prices In Riverside County Rise To Highest Since March

RIVERSIDE, CA — The average price of a gallon of self-serve regular gasoline in Riverside County rose Monday for the seventh consecutive day, increasing three-tenths of a cent to $3.232, its highest amount since March 19.

The average price has risen 5.2 cents over the past seven days, including at least 1 cent each of the previous four days, according to figures from the AAA and Oil Price Information Service.

The average price is 12 cents more than one month ago but 28.4 cents less than one year ago.

AAA reports the trend of rising prices is not isolated to Riverside County or even California. Nationwide, the average price of gas is $2.31, the highest it has been in 10 months.

Across the U.S., average costs have risen by six cents in the last week and 16 cents in the last month, according to AAA.

“Gas prices are rising as supply tightens and crude oil gets more expensive. Decreasing demand is outweighed by these other factors at the moment,” Jeanette Casselano McGee, AAA spokesperson, said in a news release. “Last week crude oil pushed to the highest price since before the pandemic. If crude prices remain high, Americans can expect to pay more at the pump this month.”

San Francisco residents, meanwhile, are already paying significantly more at the pump. CBS San Francisco-Bay Area reports the city led the U.S. on Monday with a nationwide high price of $3.40. The nation's lowest cost — $1.90 per gallon — was seen in Baton Rouge, Louisiana.

Gas prices began shifting in March 2020 as cases of the coronavirus began popping up across the country and shelter-in-place and stay-at-home orders were issued.

The impact came swiftly. According to the U.S. Energy Information Administration, the number of gallons per day of motor gasoline supplied dropped from 8.9 million in mid-March to 5.3 million by mid-April.

Today, the market sits at its healthiest measurement since August 2020 — 241 million barrels — according to AAA, but remains 10 million barrels less than at the start of 2020.

The industry's year-over-year deficit, combined with decreased refinery production, is leading the rise in costs.

According to AAA, gas prices have risen by at least 5 cents in nearly 30 states, with West Virginia, New Mexico and Florida all rising by 10 cents or more.

City News Service contributed to this report.