LA, Orange County gas prices top $6/gallon as diesel costs hit record highs
In Los Angeles County, drivers are paying an average of $6.04 a gallon for regular gasoline and $8.10 for diesel.
LOS ANGELES (KABC) -- California gas prices have reached an average of $6 a gallon as the war with Iran and the conflict between Russia and Ukraine continue to disrupt energy markets and drive up fuel costs.
The average price of a gallon of self-serve regular gasoline in Los Angeles County rose for the 27th consecutive day on Monday, increasing six-tenths of a cent to $6.044, its highest amount since June 2.
The average price has risen 40.2 cents over the past 27 days, including 1.7 cents on Sunday, according to figures from the AAA and Oil Price Information Service. It is 13.8 cents more than one week ago, 39.4 cents more than one month ago and $1.338 more than one year ago.
The increases are affecting drivers such as Jorge Nieto of Burbank, a father of two who travels across Southern California for security jobs. Nieto said it now costs $200 to fill up his van.
"Every day I'm putting gas in here. Every day, $20 here, $30 there. Today, it was $55, and that was from here to Norwalk," Nieto said. "It's hurting me really bad. It's hurting me, my family. It's putting us back. It's not putting us forward."
Ricardo Martinez of Murrieta expressed similar concerns.
"If these gas prices don't go down soon, I don't know how people are going to survive," Martinez said.
The price of regular gasoline in California reached $6 this week, an increase of 14 cents from last week and $1.36 from a year ago. Diesel prices hit a record $8.15 a gallon, about $3 more than a year ago.
In Los Angeles County, drivers are paying an average of $6.04 a gallon for regular gasoline and $8.10 for diesel.
Experts say the U.S. and Israeli war with Iran is contributing to the rising prices, along with the ongoing conflict between Russia and Ukraine.
Patrick DeHaan of GasBuddy said Russian restrictions and Ukrainian attacks on Russian refining facilities have contributed to record diesel prices.
"Russia has banned exports of diesel, and that's why diesel prices coast to coast have skyrocketed to new all-time highs, not just because of the Middle East tensions, but because of these specific refining attacks that Ukraine has launched on Russia that have been very effective," DeHaan said.
President Donald Trump called on Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy to stop targeting diesel fuel in Russia.
Higher diesel costs can affect prices across the economy because trains, tractors and trucks power much of the nation's supply chain. When diesel prices rise, consumers can pay more for groceries, online purchases and deliveries.
Nieto questioned how consumers can continue spending as transportation becomes more expensive.
"I was just telling the lady a little while ago, when are they going to lower the prices of gas? They expect us to spend money, but how are you going to spend money if you can't go nowhere?" Nieto asked.
The Orange County average gas price also rose for the 27th consecutive day, increasing four-tenths of a cent to $6.012, its highest amount since May 29.
It has increased 43.7 cents over the past 27 days, including 1 cent on Sunday. The Orange County average price is 13 cents more than one week ago, 42.3 cents more than one month ago and $1.312 more than one year ago. It has increased $1.376 since the start of the war on Iran.
The national average price rose for the 14th time in 15 days, increasing three-tenths of a cent to $4.316. It is 16.6 cents more than one week ago, 23.9 cents more than one month ago and $1.141 more than one year ago. It has increased $1.334 since the attack on Iran.
"The national average is increasing during a season when gas prices typically go down due to lower gasoline demand," according to the AAA, formerly the American Automobile Association.
One San Fernando Valley station keeps regular gas below $5
Amid the nationwide surge, one new Southern California gas station chain is offering prices below the state average. On Monday morning, regular unleaded gasoline was selling for $4.99 a gallon at the Stars & Stripes Gas and Travel Center near Moorpark Street and Laurel Canyon Boulevard in Studio City.
Stars & Stripes is one of the newest gas station chains to enter the San Fernando Valley. The company, which is widely known in San Diego, says on its website that it has a "deep commitment to quality and community."
The chain is beginning to expand into other parts of Southern California and has promoted gas giveaways on social media to help drivers manage costs at the pump.
According to GasBuddy, Americans have collectively spent $100 billion more on gasoline and diesel since March 1 compared with the same period a year ago.
City News Service contributed to this report.
