Gas Prices Increase for First Time in Months

The average price of a gallon of self-serve regular gasoline in Los Angeles County recorded its largest daily increase since Oct. 7 today, rising 1.8 cents to $3.729, one day after a 1.7-cent increase. The average price is 5.3 cents more than one week ago and 10.1 cents higher than one month ago but one-tenth of a cent less than one year ago, according to figures from the AAA and Oil Price Information Service. The average price has increased 20 of the past 21 days, rising 14.4 cents over that span.

The Orange County average price rose 1.4 cents to $3.706, one day after its largest daily increase since Oct. 7, 2 cents. It is 4.8 cents more than one week ago and 11.5 cents higher than one month ago but 1.6 cents less than one year ago. The Orange County average price has risen 22 times in the past 26 days, increasing 15.1 cents over that span. The sharp increases since Wednesday are the result of crucial equipment at the BP refinery in Carson being de-activated for unplanned maintenance and the catalytic cracker at the Chevron refinery in El Segundo being shut down as well, cutting supplies, according to industry analyst Bob van der Valk. Catalytic cracking is a critical step in turning petroleum into gasoline. Below are some of the local gas prices according to Gasbuddy.com: Claremont •ARCO, 701 E Foothill Blvd & N Claremont Blvd. Regular: $3.53 Premium: $3.73 • 76, 1092 W Foothill Blvd & N Towne Ave. Regular: $3.75 Premium: $3.95 • Mobil, 747 S Indian Hill Blvd & I-10 Exit 47. Regular: $3.79 Premium: $3.99 La Verne •Vons, 1604 Foothill Blvd & The Commons at La Verne. Regular: $3.48 Premium: $3.68 •76, 1120 Foothill Blvd & Damien Ave. Regular: $3.73 Premium: $3.89 •Mobil, 914 Foothill Blvd & Baseline Rd & CA-210Regular: $3.75 Premium: $3.91 Diamond Bar •Bagira Petro, 2295 N Garey Ave & Arrow Hwy. Regular: $3.44 Premium: $3.65 •Valero, 698 E Holt Ave & N San Antonio, Regular: $3.49 Premium: $3.69 •Food 4 Less, 2090 S Garey Ave near Philadelphia St. Regular: $3.55 Premium: $3.75 Walnut •ARCO, 780 Brea Canyon Rd & Lycoming St. Regular: $3.53 Premium: $3.71 •ARCO, 1010 Fairway Dr & E Walnut Dr N. Regular: $3.55 Premium: $3.75 •Chevron, 762 Nogales St & Francesca Dr. Regular: $3.73 Premium: $3.93