LA Gas Hits $5.96 as Regional Prices Fall for Third Month

The average price of a gallon of self-serve regular gasoline in Los Angeles County fell to $5.963 on Tuesday, a 1.8 cent drop that marks the 31st consecutive daily decline in the past 33 days.

Drivers in the region are still paying significantly more than last year. The current Los Angeles average is $1.195 higher than it was 12 months ago. In Orange County, the average price dropped 1.4 cents to $5.851, recording its 32nd straight decrease. That price sits $1.122 above its year-ago level.

The sustained decline began after Gov. Gavin Newsom announced on Sept. 28 that winter-blend gasoline would enter the market earlier than usual. Prior to that announcement, prices in both counties had hovered within 5 cents of their all-time highs, which were set on Oct. 5, 2022.

The drop is part of a national trend. The national average price fell for the 10th consecutive day, dropping 2 cents to $4.149. This figure is $1.113 higher than the national average from a year ago.

Analysts attribute the initial spike in pump prices to the joint U.S. and Israel war on Iran, which began on Feb. 28. Since that date, the Los Angeles average has risen by $1.269. The Orange County average has increased by $1.215, while the national average has climbed by $1.167. According to data from the AAA and the Oil Price Information Service, these figures reflect the ongoing impact of elevated oil prices on consumer costs.