Gas prices are on the rise in Los Angeles — and the state of California — again. As of March 12, the average price of a gallon of gas has gone up for 16 consecutive days, and 24/7 Wall St. reports that California is seeing the highest gas prices in the entire United States this March.
The increases aren’t necessarily meteoric, but they’re not meager, either. One day the prices jumped five cents, and the next day the prices had gone up another 3.5 cents.
Overall, in two or so weeks, Los Angeles gas prices have surged 33 cents. According to figures from the AAA and the Oil Price Information Service, that figure is 11 cents higher than a week ago and 12 cents higher than it was a month ago.
It may be worth noting that the average price of gas in L.A. right now is still significantly lower than it was just one year ago. Today, prices are around 79 cents cheaper, on average.
Yet at around this time last year, gas had dropped 71 cents over the course of 49 consecutive decreases.
Yet it’s not only fuel for vehicles that consumers have to worry about. In the United States, more than one million commercial establishments — hotels, restaurants, and other businesses — use propane much the same way that homeowners do. From cooking and barbecuing to using propane in gas dryers and water heaters, this other natural gas is essential in many homes and businesses.
Where the cost of oil has gone up in California, the price of propane has actually slipped in the past year. Nationally, propane currently costs about $2.02 per gallon. Last February, according to Market Realist, the price was about $2.36 per gallon and has continued a steady drop overall since that time.
Gas and energy prices typically rise and fall sharply when they do change, which is difficult for any commercial establishment or average home or vehicle owner to deal with.
Currently, Arizona is leading the country in terms of lowest gas prices. Nearly 100 stations in the state have prices at or below $1.35, with one station in Tuscon selling gas for just $1.29 a gallon.
The national average is $1.93 per gallon, up from $1.70 last month, according to 24/7 Wall St. Compare these to other energy source’s prices for effect.
However, it’s not all bad news for Californians, according to the Los Angeles Daily News. The average price of oil has been declining since May 6, 2009, before the price of oil increased sharply.
Additionally, the high prices are found primarily in larger cities with higher costs of living, like San Francisco and Los Angeles. The rest of the state is seeing lower prices when they fill up at the pump.
Alternative energy sources like propane are slated to remain the same or drop during this period, making them an attractive second option.