The average price of a gallon of self-serve regular gasoline in Southern California counties Dec. 31 rose to its highest amount to end a year, despite over two months of recent decreases

In Los Angeles County, an increase of two-tenths of a cent Sunday to $4.755 extended the run of increases to eight in nine days totaling 6.5 cents—which began five days after the run of 78 decreases in 79 days totaling $1.587 ended Dec. 18 when the average price was unchanged.

The average price is 4.5 cents more than one week ago and 26.9 cents higher than one year ago but 19.5 less than one month ago, according to figures from the AAA and Oil Price Information Service.

It has dropped $1.739 since rising to a record $6.494 on Oct. 5, 2022.

The run of decreases started Sept. 30, two days after Gov. Gavin Newsom sent a letter to the California Air Resources Board 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 Orange County average price also rose to its highest level to end a year, increasing a half-cent to $4.66, erasing the previous high of $4.65 set in 2022. It has increased nine consecutive days, rising 12.2 cents, including seven-tenths of a cent Saturday.

The Orange County average price is 7.3 cents more than one week ago and 25 cents higher than one year ago but 14.6 cents less than one month ago. It has dropped $1.799 from its record high of $6.459 set Oct. 5, 2022.

Further south, the San Diego County average price rose Sunday to its highest amount to end a year, despite a recent run of 77 decreases in 80 days totaling $1.489.

The average price rose one-tenth of a cent Sunday to $4.778, erasing the previous high to end a year of $4.631 set in 2021, according to AAA. It has risen four times in five days, increasing 3.4 cents.

The average price is 2.5 cents more than one week ago and 26.2 cents higher than one year ago, when it was $4.516, then the second-highest amount to end a year. It is 20.5 cents less than one month ago and $1.657 lower than the record $6.435 set Oct. 5, 2022.

The national average price dropped for the eighth time in nine days, decreasing a half-cent to $3.112. The run totaling 1.7 cents includes five decreases of one-tenth of a cent and follows a four-day streak of increases totaling 6.1 cents.

The national average price is 1.5 cents less than one week ago, 13.4 cents lower than one month ago and 8.3 cents below one year ago. It has decreased $1.904 since rising to a record $5.016 on June 14, 2022.

Sophie Li contributed to this report.