RIVERSIDE — Lower gasoline prices in Riverside are one more reason to celebrate this New Year’s Eve in case you needed one.

Gasoline prices are 2.7 cents per gallon lower in the past week, averaging $3.25 per gallon on Sunday, according to GasBuddy’s daily survey of 481 stations in Riverside. This compares with the national average that is 6.6 cents per gallon lower versus last week of $2.25 per gallon, according to GasBuddy.

Average gasoline prices on December 31 in Riverside have ranged widely over the past five years ranging at times from lower to much higher: $3.06 per gallon in 2017, $2.73 per gallon in 2016, $2.98 per gallon in 2015, $2.58 per gallon in 2014 and $3.64 per gallon in 2013.

Including the change locally during the past week, prices yesterday were 19.4 cents per gallon higher than a year ago and are 20.4 cents per gallon lower than a month ago. The national average has dropped 21.3 cents per gallon during the last month and stands 23.8 cents per gallon lower than a year ago.

Areas near Riverside and their current gas price climate:

  • San Bernardino — $3.26 per gallon, 1.9 cents lower per gallon from last week’s $3.28 per gallon.
  • Orange County — $3.34 per gallon, down 3.7 cents per gallon from last week’s $3.38 per gallon.
  • Los Angeles — $3.37 per gallon, down 4.6 cents per gallon from last week’s $3.41 per gallon.

“As the national average price of gasoline continues to test multi-year lows, U.S. motorists are keeping over $250 million in their pocket every single day versus 80 days ago. The plunge has seen sub-$2 gas prices show up at over a third of all gas stations in the country while 11 states have seen average prices dip under the $2 level. The most common price at gas stations in the U.S. is now $1.99 per gallon while the second most common price is just $1.89,” Patrick DeHaan, head of petroleum analysis for GasBuddy, said in a prepared statement.

With the plunge perhaps continuing for another couple weeks, many motorists have been asking how long this trend of lower gas prices will continue into 2019 — and the answer is that it’s complicated, DeHaan said. “But possible summer gas prices won’t be anywhere near this low, but all the specifics on what motorists can expect in 2019 will be revealed Wednesday as GasBuddy releases its 2019 Fuel Price Outlook. I would encourage motorists to check it out for all the possibilities for pump prices into the New Year.”

For LIVE fuel price averages, click here.