Gas prices on the rise in Riverside County

Drivers in Riverside County are now paying $5.26 on average for a gallon of regular unleaded – that is up 9 cents from a week ago, according to AAA.

“It’s about what drivers in Riverside County were paying this time a month ago,” said Doug Shupe, a spokesman from the Auto Club of Southern California.

Shupe attributed the current trend to “local refinery issues” related to “some unplanned maintenance that’s causing the prices to spike a little bit.”

AAA is anticipating that people will still be taking some road trips during the fall months, therefore, the demand for gasoline may not drop as much as Californians typically would. 

Drivers are advised to take some steps to maximize fuel efficiency every day. “The number one way to get the most out of your fuel dollars is keep your vehicle well maintained,” said Doug Shupe, a spokesman from the Auto Club of Southern California.

Additionally, by reducing freeway speeds by 5-10 miles per hour “you can actually increase your fuel efficiency by up to 14%,” explained Shupe. 

Drivers are also encouraged to shop around for the cheapest gas prices.

The station with the cheapest gasoline in Riverside County as of today was recorded at $4.59, according to GasBuddy.

Currently, the state average price for a gallon of regular unleaded gasoline is $5.40, according to AAA.

The current national average is $3.71, which is $1.30 lower than the highest recorded national average price of $5.01 on June 6, 2022.

Stay with News Channel 3 for continuing updates.