L.A., OC Gas Prices Rise Again

Los Angeles - The average price of a gallon of self-serve regular gasoline in Los Angeles County rose today for the 11th time in 12 days, increasing three-tenths of a cent to $3.820.

The average price is 2.1 cents higher than one week ago and 69.5 cents above this time last year, but 10.1 cents lower than a month ago, according to figures from the AAA and Oil Price Information Service.

The Orange County average price rose today for the 12th consecutive day, increasing three-tenths of a cent to $3.805. Before the upward streak began, it had fallen 62 times in 63 days, dropping to its lowest amount since Feb. 27.

The Orange County average price is 2.7 cents highere than one week ago and 68.3 cents more than one year ago, but 8.7 cents lower than one month ago. This is the first time the Orange County average price has risen for at least 12 consecutive days since a 27-day streak from March 27-April 18.

The rising gasoline prices are the result of increases to the price of crude oil and wholesale gasoline, stemming from a weaker dollar, according to Jeffrey Spring of the Automobile Club of Southern California.

Crude oil costs account for two-thirds to three-quarters of the price of a gallon of gasoline, according to Tupper Hull of the Western States Petroleum Association, a trade association representing oil companies in six western states.