Southern California gas prices: A county-by-county breakdown as LA tops $6
Trump warns of escalation if Strait of Hormuz is not opened
While Trump has said the U.S. and Iran are making progress in talks, he has also been sending more U.S. troops to the region, leading Iran's parliament speaker to accuse Washington of sending messages about possible negotiations while planning a ground invasion, prompting more defiance from Tehran.
LOS ANGELES - The energy crisis triggered by the U.S.-Iran conflict has hit Southern California harder than almost any other region in the nation.
As local averages climb toward all-time records, the economic strain is beginning to reshape consumer behavior across the region.
Local perspective:
On Tuesday, regular self-serve gasoline in Los Angeles County hit an average of $6.005, a 1.1-cent increase from the previous day. Neighboring counties are following a similar trajectory:
Los Angeles County
Average Regular Gas Price: $6.005
Note: First time over $6 since Oct. 2023
Orange County
Average Regular Gas Price: $5.938
Note: Highest amount since Oct. 6, 2023
Riverside County
Average Regular Gas Price: $5.864
Note: Up $1.68 since late January
San Bernardino County
Average Regular Gas Price: $5.891
Ventura County
Average Regular Gas Price: $5.952
Note: Rising 40 of the last 41 days
What they're saying:
"Gasoline and diesel prices continue to climb to multi-year highs as the effective closure of the Strait of Hormuz curtails the flow of millions of barrels of crude oil each day," said Patrick De Haan, head of petroleum analysis at GasBuddy.
Drivers are really feeling the immediate impact. A recent AP-NORC poll indicates that nearly half of U.S. adults are now "extremely" concerned about their ability to afford fuel.
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"It’s going to mean more expensive bills for truckers, tractors and trains that move the U.S. economy," De Haan added.
What's next:
If costs don't drop, people will likely start cutting back on extra spending to cover the essentials.
Additionally, if the military disruption in the Middle East continues through the spring, the national average could move toward $4.50, potentially pushing California's statewide average toward the $7.00 mark for the first time in history.
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What you can do:
- Check County Borders: Prices often vary by 10–20 cents between neighboring counties; Riverside and San Bernardino often remain slightly lower than Orange or LA.
- Fuel Blends: Be aware that the mandatory shift to "summer blend" gasoline in California typically occurs in early spring, which may add further upward pressure to these prices.
- Search for Relief: Utilize tools like AAA’s Fuel Prices or GasBuddy to locate stations that have not yet adjusted their prices to the new daily highs.
The Source: This report is based on daily regional price data from the AAA Gas Prices dashboard and GasBuddy’s real-time tracking. Details regarding military impacts and federal policy were corroborated by Associated Press reports and official statements from the International Energy Agency and the White House.