Tough Week for Motorists at Gas Pump

It’s a tough week for motorists — again. Riverside gas prices have risen 1.8 cents per gallon in the past week, averaging $4.01/g today, according to GasBuddy’s daily survey of 481 stations. Gas prices in Riverside are 14.5 cents per gallon lower than a month ago, yet stand 30.2 cents per gallon higher than a year ago.

According to GasBuddy price reports, the cheapest station in Riverside is priced at $3.45/g today while the most expensive is $4.59/g, a difference of $1.14/g. The lowest price in the state today is $3.29/g while the highest is $4.99/g, a difference of $1.70/g. The cheapest price in the entire country today stands at $1.91/g while the most expensive is $5.49/g, a difference of $3.58/g.

The national average price of gasoline has fallen 0.4 cents per gallon in the last week, averaging $2.60/g today. The national average is down 6.9 cents per gallon from a month ago, yet stands 13.8 cents per gallon lower than a year ago. So, it remains a tough week for motorists.

Historical gasoline prices in Riverside and the national average going back a decade:

• November 4, 2018: $3.71/g (U.S. Average: $2.73/g)
• November 4, 2017: $3.16/g (U.S. Average: $2.52/g)
• November 4, 2016: $2.81/g (U.S. Average: $2.22/g)
• November 4, 2015: $2.85/g (U.S. Average: $2.20/g)
• November 4, 2014: $3.24/g (U.S. Average: $2.96/g)
• November 4, 2013: $3.60/g (U.S. Average: $3.22/g)
• November 4, 2012: $3.93/g (U.S. Average: $3.47/g)
• November 4, 2011: $3.83/g (U.S. Average: $3.41/g)
• November 4, 2010: $3.10/g (U.S. Average: $2.79/g)
• November 4, 2009: $2.98/g (U.S. Average: $2.67/g)

Neighboring areas and their current gas prices indicate a tough week for motorists, too:

• San Bernardino – $4.00/g, unchanged  from last week’s $4.00/g.
• Orange County – $4.09/g, up 5.7 cents per gallon from last week’s $4.03/g.
• Los Angeles – $4.11/g, up 3.7 cents per gallon from last week’s $4.07/g.

“While the national average gas price didn’t show much of a significant trend either way, oil prices did jump last week on the solid jobs report and on news of a growing consensus that the U.S. and China have agreed to some form of a trade deal,” Patrick DeHaan, head of petroleum analysis for GasBuddy, said in a prepared statement. “With such strong economic data, the picture is painted that we could see improving demand for oil and thus prices rising last week. While it may not be immediately noticed at the pump as gasoline demand continues to be weak in the off-season, it certainly could lead to a more noticeable impact next summer should nothing change until then. Ahead of Thanksgiving, last week’s oil jump may derail falling gas prices, though we still may see prices drift lower, the good economic news means prices will not drop as much as they could have otherwise.”