San Diego Gas Prices Edge Up to $6.005
The average price of a gallon of self-serve regular gasoline in San Diego County inched up one-tenth of a cent Sunday to $6.005, ending a streak of 30 consecutive decreases. Figures from AAA and the Oil Price Information Service show that the average price dropped 42.3 cents during the streak, including a 1.3-cent decline on Saturday.
Before this downward trend, prices climbed through a run of 42 increases in 44 days totaling 74.5 cents. That surge brought the average within seven-tenths of a cent of the record high of $6.434 set on Oct. 5, 2022.
Market Shifts and Regional Comparison
Despite Sunday’s slight increase, current pump prices remain below recent levels. The San Diego average sits 10.7 cents lower than one week ago and 42.2 cents lower than one month ago, though it remains $1.19 higher than one year ago.
The broader upward pressure stems from geopolitical conflict. Prices have climbed $1.319 since the start of the joint U.S./Israel war on Iran on Feb. 28, a conflict that drove oil prices higher and drastically accelerated pump costs.
Conversely, the national average price dropped for the eighth consecutive day, decreasing 1 cent to $4.173. The national average stands 11.6 cents less than a week ago and 24 cents less than a month ago, but $1.135 higher than one year ago. The national figure has increased $1.191 since the attack on Iran.
Winter-Blend Transition Impact
The recent streak of falling prices began four days after Gavin Newsom’s announcement on Sept. 28 allowing cheaper winter-blend gasoline to be sold immediately rather than waiting for the customary Nov. 1 transition date.
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