The average price of a gallon of self-serve regular gasoline in San Diego County rose Friday for the eighth time in 10 days, increasing a half-cent to $4.672, its highest amount since Dec. 7.
The average price has risen 9 cents over the past 10 days, including 1.2 cents Thursday, according to figures from the AAA and Oil Price Information Service. It is 5.8 cents more than one week ago and 12.5 cents higher than one month ago, but 2.7 cents less than one year ago.
The average price has dropped $1.773 since rising to a record $6.435 on Oct. 5.
"Last Friday, Oil Price Information Service stated that California refineries have reported higher-than-usual planned maintenance as well as unplanned outages in recent weeks, yet gasoline inventories have apparently risen at the same time, indicating possible slower demand," said Doug Shupe, the Automobile Club of Southern California's corporate communications manager.
"This week's pump price increases appear to be mainly related to the refineries switching to summer-blend fuel, which pushed up wholesale prices since it is more expensive to produce."
The national average price fell for the 13th consecutive day following a 17-day streak of increases, dropping six-tenths of a cent to $3.431. It is 6 cents less than one week ago and 4.6 cents lower than one year ago but 16.1 cents more than one month ago.
The national average price has decreased 7.9 cents over the past 13 days after rising 24.3 cents during the 17-day streak of increases. It has dropped $1.585 since rising to a record $5.016 on June 14.
