Gas prices have jumped to yet another multi-month high

RIVERSIDE — Gas prices have jumped in Riverside this week having risen 3.1 cents per gallon in the past week, averaging $3.25/g yesterday, according to GasBuddy’s daily survey of 481 stations in Riverside. This compares with the national average that has increased 4.2 cents per gallon versus last week to $2.38/g, according to GasBuddy.

Average gasoline prices on January 18 in Riverside have ranged widely over the last five years:

  • $3.48/g in 2020
  • $3.17/g in 2019
  • $3.17/g in 2018
  • $2.78/g in 2017
  • $2.90/g in 2016.

Including the change locally during the past week, prices yesterday were 22.8 cents per gallon lower than a year ago and are 14.2 cents per gallon higher than a month ago. The national average has increased 15.6 cents per gallon during the last month and stands 17.4 cents per gallon lower than a year ago.

Areas near Riverside and their current gas price climate:

  • San Bernardino — $3.25/g, up 4.9 cents per gallon from last week’s $3.20/g.
  • Orange County — $3.32/g, up 5.1 cents per gallon from last week’s $3.27/g.
  • Los Angeles — $3.33/g, up 4.0 cents per gallon from last week’s $3.29/g.

“Gas prices have jumped to yet another multi-month high as crude oil price rise amidst perceived improvement in the COVID-19 pandemic, which continues to pump prices up as demand shows renewed signs of recovery,” said Patrick DeHaan, head of petroleum analysis for GasBuddy. “In addition, with rumors swirling that President-elect Biden plans to cancel approval of the Keystone XL pipeline, which would cut off reliable Canadian oil to the U.S., oil prices may see additional pressure in the coming days. For now, the upward trend in gas prices may slow from the sharp rise in the last week, but motorists shouldn’t expect much of a break from rising gas prices, which now stand less than twenty cents from their year-ago levels.”

For LIVE fuel price averages, click here.

 

Image Sources

  • Gas Prices: Shutterstock