If you filled your tank with gas on Sunday like I did, you already know that gas prices are climbing.

Average retail gasoline prices in Riverside have risen 1.2 cents per gallon in the past week, averaging $3.37 per gallon on Sunday, according to GasBuddy’s daily survey of 481 gas outlets in Riverside. This compares with the national average that has increased 2.5 cents per gallon in the last week to $2.54 per gallon, according to gasoline price website GasBuddy.com.

Including the change in gas prices in Riverside during the past week, prices yesterday were 38.6 cents per gallon higher than the same day one year ago and are 1.4 cents per gallon higher than a month ago. The national average has increased 2.9 cents per gallon during the last month and stands 25.3 cents per gallon higher than this day one year ago.

According to GasBuddy historical data, gasoline prices on March 19 in Riverside have ranged widely over the last five years: $2.99 per gallon in 2017, $2.71 per gallon in 2016, $3.35 per gallon in 2015, $3.98 per gallon in 2014 and $4.14 per gallon in 2013.

Areas near Riverside and their current gas price climate:

  • San Bernardino- $3.35 per gallon, up 1.1 cents per gallon from last week’s $3.34 per gallon.
  • Orange County- $3.44 per gallon, up 2.2 cents per gallon from last week’s $3.42 per gallon.
  • Los Angeles- $3.49 per gallon per gallon, up 3.7 cents per gallon from last week’s $3.45 per gallon.

“Gas prices remained mostly in check over the last week, yet the national average pushed higher as seasonal factors continue to weigh on the market, led by jumps at the pump in some Great Lakes states over the weekend,” said Patrick DeHaan, head of petroleum analysis for GasBuddy. “The national average now stands at its highest level in over a month and is likely to continue moving higher in the weeks ahead as demand continues to recover from the winter blues and the transition to summer gasoline kicks into high gear. Overall, gas prices this spring will come in some 10-25 percent higher than a year ago, removing billions of dollars from other areas of the economy that will instead be funneled to the pump.”

For LIVE fuel price averages, click HERE.