The average price of a gallon of self-serve regular gasoline in San Diego County rose Friday for the 27th time in 28 days, increasing four-tenths of a cent to $4.548, its highest amount since Oct. 18, 2012.
The average price has increased 16.4 cents over the past 28 days, including seven-tenths of a cent Thursday, according to figures from the AAA and Oil Price Information Service. It rose 25 consecutive days, was unchanged Wednesday and resumed increasing Thursday.
The average price is 2.3 cents more than one week ago, 17.6 cents higher than one month ago and $1.397 greater than one year ago.
“Prices continue to slowly crawl closer to all-time record levels,” said Jeffrey Spring, the Automobile Club of Southern California’s corporate communications manager. “High oil prices continue to be a major factor in driving up prices at the pump.”
The average price is 17.7 cents less than the San Diego County record of $4.725 set on Oct. 8, 2012.
The price of a barrel of West Texas intermediate crude on the New York Mercantile Exchange has increased 112.2% from its 52-week low of $37.14 on Nov. 6, 2020, to $78.81 Thursday, despite dropping $5.24 over the last three sessions.
Crude oil costs account for slightly more than half of the pump price, according to the U.S. Energy Information Administration.
The pump price continues to increase despite stations being allowed to start selling the winter blend of gasoline, which is generally cheaper to produce, on Monday.