Desert Gas Prices Rise To Highest Point Since 2008

The average price of a gallon of self-serve regular gasoline in the Inland Empire rose today to its highest point since since Oct. 25, 2008, increasing two-tenths of a cent to $3.149.

The average price in Riverside and San Bernardino counties has risen nine times in 11 days, including 2.2 cents Saturday, according to figures from the AAA and Oil Price Information Service.

The average price is 4.8 cents more than a week ago, 4.9 cents more than a month ago and 75.5 cents more than this time last year

The rising prices are a result of recent increases in the price of crude oil, Jeffrey Spring of the Automobile Club of Southern California told City News Service.

See how gas prices have risen across the country

Crude oil costs account for two-thirds to three-quarters of the price of a gallon of gasoline, according to Tupper Hull, vice president of strategic communications of the Western States Petroleum Association, a trade association representing major oil companies in six Western states.