RIVERSIDE — Gasoline prices in Riverside are unchanged  in the past week, averaging $3.54 per gallon on Sunday, according to GasBuddy’s daily survey of 481 stations in Riverside. This compares with the national average that has increased 1.1 cents per gallon versus last week to $2.84 per gallon, according to GasBuddy.

Unchanged does not describe average gasoline prices on July 30 in Riverside have ranged widely over the last five years: $2.86 per gallon in 2017, $2.71 per gallon in 2016, $4.07 per gallon in 2015, $3.94 per gallon in 2014 and $4.03 per gallon in 2013.

Including the change locally during the past week, prices yesterday were 68.3 cents per gallon higher than a year ago and are 5.8 cents per gallon lower than a month ago. The national average has dropped 0.5 cents per gallon during the last month and stands 53.4 cents per gallon higher than a year ago.

Areas near Riverside and their current negligible unchanged gas price climate:

  • San Bernardino — $3.49 per gallon, down 1.9 cents per gallon from last week’s $3.51 per gallon.
  • Orange County — $3.57 per gallon, down 0.5 cents per gallon from last week’s $3.58 per gallon.
  • Los Angeles — $3.63 per gallon, down 1.2 cents per gallon from last week’s $3.64 per gallon..

Don’t expect the unchanged status to last long, however.

“Pushed higher by signs of a lessening in trade tensions between the U.S and the European Union and a draw down in U.S. oil and fuel inventories following last Wednesday’s Department of Energy’s Weekly Petroleum Status Report, pump prices across the country posted slight gains that could represent a U-turn in falling pump prices at the halfway point of summer,” Patrick DeHaan, head of petroleum analysis for GasBuddy said in a prepared statement.

The unchanged status is not likely to last long.

“Indications of continued strong summertime demand for gasoline along with robust fuel export numbers could serve to help sustain moderately higher gas prices, but more geopolitical events such as the closing of oil ports on the Red Sea, affecting Saudi Arabian crude exports, will are sure to provide more upwards momentum for fuel prices in the week ahead,” DeHaan said.

For LIVE fuel price averages, visit here.

Image Sources

  • gas prices: Pixaby