For the second consecutive week, average retail gasoline prices in Riverside County have risen.
Last week, it was a slight bump; this week gas have risen 2.5 cents per gallon, averaging $3.07 per gallon on Monday, according to GasBuddy’s daily survey of 481 gas outlets in Riverside. This compares with the national average that has increased 3.9 cents per gallon in the last week to $2.48 per gallon, according to gasoline price website GasBuddy.com.
Including the change in gas prices in Riverside during the past week, prices on Monday were 33.8 cents per gallon higher than the same day one year ago and are 5.7 cents per gallon lower than a month ago. The national average has increased 1.3 cents per gallon during the last month and stands 13.6 cents per gallon higher than this day one year ago.
According to GasBuddy historical data, gasoline prices on Jan. 2 in Riverside have ranged widely over the last five years:
- $2.74 per gallon in 2017,
- $3.00 per gallon in 2016,
- $2.58 per gallon in 2015,
- $3.65 per gallon in 2014 and
- $3.57 per gallon in 2013.
Areas near Riverside and their current gas price climate:
- San Bernardino- $3.05 per gallon, up 0.9 cents per gallon from last week’s $3.04 per gallon.
- Orange County- $3.12 per gallon, up 3.7 cents per gallon from last week’s $3.08 per gallon.
- Los Angeles- $3.13 per gallon, up 1.1 cents per gallon from last week’s $3.12 per gallon.
“It’s mostly a happy New Year as gas prices remain in the low-to-mid $2 per gallon range, but it’s not quite as happy as could be as it’s the priciest start to a New Year since 2014,” said Patrick DeHaan, head of petroleum analysis for GasBuddy. “2017 wrapped up a fairly tame year, but keep in mind oil prices are among the highest we’ve witnessed in over two years, and we’re in the middle of a severe cold snap, one which is likely to drive up demand for heating oil, propane and other petroleum products, which is certainly a bullish start to the year.
GasBuddy’s 2018 Annual Fuel Outlook, being released this week, will be giving motorists a good look at what to expect in the year ahead.
“In looking at our own report card from our 2017 Fuel Outlook, we had forecast a yearly average gas price of $2.49 per gallon, and were less than 10 cents away from hitting it head on,” DeHaan said in a prepared statement. Anyone who’s got a tank to fill- whether gas or diesel- will want to stay in the know for what’s coming in the year ahead.”
For LIVE fuel price averages, click HERE.
