Southland Gas Prices at Lowest Amount on Labor Day in Four Years

LOS ANGELES (CNS) - The average price of a gallon of self-serve regular gasoline in Los Angeles County rose three-tenths of a cent Monday to $4.602, ending a streak of three consecutive years when it set a record high for a Labor Day.

The average price has increased nine times in the last 10 days, and is 3.7 cents more than one week ago, but 1 cent less than one month ago and 78.7 cents less than one year ago, according to figures from the AAA and Oil Price Information Service. It has dropped $1.892 since rising to a record $6.494 on Oct. 5, 2022.

Last year on Labor Day, the average price was $5.397, beating 2022's holiday record of $5.287, which had broken 2021's record of $4.406. In 2020, the average price on Labor Day was $3.23, its lowest amount for Labor Day since 2016 due to a sharp drop in demand during the coronavirus pandemic.

The Orange County average price dropped two-tenths of a cent to $4.522, also marking the first time in three years it did not set a Labor Day record. It is 3 cents more than one week ago, but 1.8 cents less than one month ago and 81.7 cents less than one year ago. The Orange County average price has dropped $1.937 since rising to a record $6.459 on Oct. 5, 2022.

Last year on Labor Day, Orange County's average price was $5.356, beating 2022's holiday record of $5.23.

The national average price dropped two-tenths of a cent to $3.331, its 17th decrease in the last 19 days. It is 2 cents less than one week ago, 15 cents less than one month ago and 48.4 cents less than one year ago. The national average price has dropped $1.685 since rising to a record $5.016 on June 14, 2022.

"The arrival of September means cheaper winter-blend gasoline is almost here, which always helps take pressure off pump prices," said Andrew Gross, an AAA national public relations manager.