The average price of a gallon of self-serve regular gasoline in Los Angeles County rose 5.1 cents Saturday to $6.387, 10.6 cents short of the county’s record, according to figures from the Amedrican Automobile Association and the Oil Price Information Service.
Saturday’s increase was the 39th consecutive daily rise and lifted the countywide average to its highest level since Oct. 10, 2022. The figure is a countywide average rather than a measurement of prices at Pasadena stations.
The county record is $6.493, set Oct. 5, 2022, according to the AAA and Oil Price Information Service figures.
Over the 39-day streak, the average has climbed 74.5 cents. It is 69.3 cents higher than one month ago and $1.665 higher than one year ago.
The average has increased $1.693 since the joint U.S./Israel war on Iran began Feb. 28, a conflict City News Service reported sent oil prices higher and drastically accelerated increases at the pump.
“Typically, the start of autumn brings lower gas prices, but lingering volatility in the Strait of Hormuz and the high cost of crude oil are driving up pump prices,” the AAA said.
California’s refining capacity has also shrunk. Phillips 66 shut down its Los Angeles refinery in October 2025, and Valero shut down its Benicia refinery in April 2026.
Gary Simmons, Valero’s executive vice president and chief operating officer, recently observed during an earnings call that “the conflict in Iran has really created a market with demand significantly outpacing supply.”
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