Average California gas prices continue to drop

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PREVIOUS COVERAGE: CA gas prices continue to soar

As gas prices in California continue to soar, residents want to know what Gov. Gavin Newsom plans to do.

The average price of a gallon of self-serve regular gasoline in Los Angeles County dropped Sunday for the ninth consecutive day, decreasing 2.5 cents to $6.006.

The average price has dropped 30.9 cents over the past nine days, including 5.2 cents Saturday, according to figures from the AAA and Oil Price Information Service.

The decreasing prices follow a run of 23 increases in 25 days totaling 91.8 cents that boosted the average price to its highest amount since Oct. 11, 2022.

The average price is 28.5 cents less than one week ago and 42.4 cents lower than one year ago but 55.1 cents more than one month ago. It has dropped 48.8 cents since rising to a record $6.494 on Oct. 5, 2022.

The Orange County average price also dropped for the ninth consecutive day, decreasing 2.9 cents to $5.842. It has dropped 44.6 cents over the past nine days, including 7.1 cents Saturday.

The decreasing prices follow a run of 26 increases in 28 days totaling 97.2 cents that boosted the average price to its highest amount since Oct. 10, 2022.

The Orange County average price is 39.5 cents less than one week ago and 51.6 cents lower than one year ago but 43.2 cents more than one month ago. It has dropped 61.7 cents since rising to a record $6.459 on Oct. 5, 2022.

The decreasing prices stem from Gov. Gavin Newsom sending a letter to the California Air Resources Board Sept. 28 directing it to allow refineries to begin making and distributing winter-blend gasoline, which is cheaper to produce.

Stations normally cannot start selling winter blend gas until Nov. 1.

The national average price dropped for the 10th consecutive day and 18th time in 20 days, decreasing 1.3 cents to $3.709. It has dropped 17.2 cents over the past 20 days, including 2.4 cents Saturday.

The national average price is 10.6 cents less than one week ago, 10.1 cents lower than one month ago and 19.5 cents below what it was one year ago. It has dropped $1.307 since rising to a record $5.016 on June 14, 2022.

The run of decreases follows an 11-day streak of increases totaling 7.8 cents.

"Drivers are finally seeing some relief at the pump as the seasonal swoon picks up momentum," said Andrew Gross, an AAA national public relations manager. "At least one state has locations selling gas below $3 a gallon, and we should begin to see more states join in over the next few weeks."