Gas in California is $1.65 more than the national average. See the rise in gas prices
Near-record low inventories and a refinery fire in northern California at the start of February have led to an increase in gas prices in Southern California, according to the Auto Club's Weekend Gas Watch.
'California refinery production of gasoline was already low when a major fire at the Martinez PBF refinery on Feb. 1 took it offline indefinitely, creating a surge in wholesale gasoline prices,' said Auto Club spokesperson Doug Shupe in the news release. 'Although Southern California does not receive gasoline from the affected refinery, some supply from our area may be shifting to cover shortfalls in Northern California, which is experiencing even steeper pump price increases.'
These factors have caused Southern California's average gas prices to increase by more than two cents a day over the past week in most areas, said the auto club's gas watch.
But the increase in gas prices isn't just being felt in California. Arizona has also seen prices creep up partially due to the fire at Martinez Refining Company in Contra Costa County as well, the Arizona Republic reported.
The average gas price in California is $4.82 on Friday at 10 a.m., according to AAA's fuel prices. That's about a 27-cent increase from a week ago and a 44-cent increase from a month ago.
Last year, the average cost of gas in California was $4.63.
The auto club's gas watch compiled the average gas price for select California areas. See the average price of gas throughout California as of 9 a.m. on Thursday:
San Diego: $4.76, a 16-cent increase from a week ago
Ventura: $4.76, a 14-cent increase from a week ago
Los Angeles-Long Beach: $4.75, a 16-cent increase from a week ago
Orange County: $4.73, a 18-cent increase from a week ago
Santa Barbara: $4.71, a 15-cent increase from a week ago
San Bernardino: $4.63, a 17-cent increase from a week ago
Riverside: $4.62, a 17-cent increase from a week ago
Bakersfield: $4.61, a 23-cent increase from a week ago
The average cost of gas nationally is about $3.17 as of Friday at 10 a.m., according to AAA fuel prices. It's about three cents higher than a week ago and $1.65 less than California's average.
GasBuddy is one option if you're looking for more affordable gas near you. According to GasBuddy, gas is less than $3.80 at various gas stations across the state, from San Jacinto in Southern California to Lemoore in central California.
You can search by major areas or counties to see where users find lower gas prices.
For example, one user recorded that gas was $3.89 at the Horizon Fuel Center in Valley Center in San Diego County.
Paris Barraza is a trending reporter covering California news at The Desert Sun. Reach her at pbarraza@gannett.com.
This article originally appeared on Palm Springs Desert Sun: How much did gas prices go up in California? See the average cost
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