LA County Faces Record High Gas Prices: October 2023 Peak Reached

Residents of Los Angeles County are once again facing the sting of escalating gas prices, with costs at the pump reaching levels not seen in nearly three years. The ongoing surge has pushed prices into what many might consider nightmare territory.

According to data from AAA, the average price for a gallon of regular gasoline in the county climbed 3.7 cents on Friday, hitting $6.141. This marks the highest price point since October 2023.

For nine consecutive days, prices have been on an upward trajectory, with a cumulative increase of 22.1 cents during this period. This comes after a brief respite where prices fell for two weeks, dropping by 12.8 cents.

The recent uptick has resulted in prices being 15.3 cents higher than they were just a week ago, and 13.4 cents more than a month prior. Compared to last year’s figures, drivers are now paying an additional $1.373 per gallon.

On a national scale, the trend of rising fuel costs presents an even steeper incline, affecting motorists across the country.

The average price across the US rose 9.2 cents to $4.392 per gallon — the highest since July 2022 — and has also increased for nine consecutive days, climbing 37.2 cents over that span, AAA figures show.

That’s 33.3 cents higher than a week ago, 32.8 cents more than a month ago and $1.205 above a year-ago levels.

Driver’s aren’t just complaining — they’re fleeing. One California gas station attendant has been left virtually alone as motorists cross into Arizona, where gas is far cheaper just one mile away, the California Post previously reported.

California’s sky-high prices continue to draw political attention.

Kevin Kiley, an independent congressman from California said Friday that the statewide average has reached $6.06 — $1.67 higher than the national average and 43 cents more than second-place Hawaii.

“Refinery closures will make things worse,” Kiley wrote on X. “Yet state politicians refuse to suspend the gas tax or bring sanity to our energy policies.”

Another congressman, Republican Ken Calvert recently blasted the state’s “energy insanity,” warning that refinery closures and strict regulations are squeezing supply and pushing prices higher.

Despite the recent jump, both local and national prices remain below record highs — though not by much. In Los Angeles County, the current average sits about 35 cents shy of the all-time high set in October 2022, while the national average is roughly 62 cents below its peak from June 2022.

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