San Diego County drivers are feeling the pinch at the pump as the average price of a gallon of self-serve regular gasoline jumped 10.4 cents Friday to $4.998, its highest level since June 3, 2024. The increase marks the 16th consecutive day of rising prices, including a 8.7-cent gain on Thursday, according to figures from the Automobile Club of Southern California and the Oil Price Information Service. The average is now 32 cents higher than one week ago, 47.1 cents above last month, and 25.8 cents more than a year ago.
The upward trend comes despite a drop of $1.437 from the record $6.435 per gallon reached on Oct. 5, 2022. “It’s unknown how long these price spikes will last or how high prices will climb — that will all depend on how long oil supplies remain disrupted,” said Kandace Redd, the Automobile Club’s senior public affairs specialist. “Oil prices have increased by about $10 a barrel since last weekend.”
Around the Country
Nationally, the average price for a gallon of regular gasoline rose 6.9 cents to $3.32, the highest level since Sept. 3, 2024. The national average has risen six consecutive days, up 33.8 cents overall, including 5.3 cents on Thursday.
The recent jump in prices comes as global tensions escalate following U.S. and Israeli strikes on Iran over the weekend, disrupting oil shipments in the Persian Gulf. Diesel prices in Europe have spiked 27% since Friday, rising about 62 cents per gallon. “It’s gone up substantially, because Europe is so constrained on diesel supply,” said Susan Bell, senior vice president of commodity markets at Rystad Energy.
In the U.S., gasoline prices were already on the rise due to the transition to summer blends, which are more expensive because of additives that prevent evaporation in hot weather, said Aixa Diaz, AAA spokeswoman. The global crude oil spike following the Middle East conflict has further intensified pressure on U.S. and California prices.
While the U.S. is a net oil exporter, Shon Hiatt, director of the Zage Business of Energy Initiative at USC Marshall School of Business, noted that California still relies heavily on imported refined fuels, including gasoline, diesel, and jet fuel. “We have an energy security problem in California. It’s not looking good for us,” he said, citing potential constraints if international supplies are cut.
The international impact is evident across Europe. In Paris, drivers queued at stations with diesel priced at about 1.846 euros per liter (roughly $7 per gallon). “With Iran and the Strait of Hormuz effectively blocked, it is causing alarm everywhere and driving up oil prices,” said Abdelilah Khalil, a Parisian driver.
U.S. crude prices surged, with benchmark West Texas Intermediate crude rising 8.6% to $77.36 per barrel, and Brent crude climbing 6.7% to $81.29 per barrel. Experts say higher oil prices are typically reflected at the pump within a couple of weeks.
For residents, the impact is immediate. In Jackson, Mississippi, Anne Dulske said she paid $15 more than usual to fill her tank Tuesday. “It’s going to affect everything in our lives. It’s very scary, and it does hit closer to home than people think,” she said.
Patrick DeHaan, head of petroleum analysis at GasBuddy, said prices could climb further, but he does not anticipate U.S. gas exceeding $4 per gallon in the near term. “Many Americans seem very panicked that prices could hit multiple dollars higher than that, which at this point, I wouldn’t say anything’s impossible, but certainly it’s quite improbable based on the current developments.”
(The Associated Press contributed to this report)
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