It’s not much, but even a small drop in gas prices is better than any gain.

Average retail gasoline prices in Riverside have fallen 0.8 cents per gallon in the past week, averaging $3.34 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 0.9 cents per gallon in the last week to $2.52 per gallon, according to gasoline price website GasBuddy.com.

Including the change in gas prices in Riverside during the past week, prices yesterday were 35.1 cents per gallon higher than the same day one year ago and are 2.3 cents per gallon lower than a month ago. The national average has decreased 8.3 cents per gallon during the last month and stands 21.0 cents per gallon higher than this day one year ago.

According to GasBuddy historical data, gasoline prices on March 5 in Riverside have ranged widely over the last five years: $2.99 per gallon in 2017, $2.47 per gallon in 2016, $3.48 per gallon in 2015, $3.90 per gallon in 2014 and $4.27 per gallon in 2013.

Areas near Riverside and their current gas price climate:

  • San Bernardino- $3.32 per gallon, down 1.4 cents per gallon from last week’s $3.33 per gallon.
  • Orange County- $3.38 per gallon, down 1.3 cents per gallon from last week’s $3.39 per gallon.
  • Los Angeles- $3.41 per gallon, down 1.5 cents per gallon from last week’s $3.42 per gallon.

“Despite the rough ride crude oil received in the latter half of last week, gasoline prices managed a rally, pushing the national average for the week into positive territory for the first time in a month. This confirmed what was noted here last week; March comes in like a lamb but goes out like a lion. Oil aside, there are early indications that gasoline prices are about to strengthen helped by a noticeable number of refineries out for maintenance and a stronger demand outlook than we saw last year,” said Dan McTeague, senior petroleum analyst for GasBuddy. “Geopolitics, trade skirmishes, growing fuel exports and the ever sensitive relationship between oil and the value of the greenback are all factors that are likely to help the gasoline bulls as temperatures and global political intrigue rise in apparent unison.”

For LIVE fuel price averages, visit HERE.