LOS ANGELES (CNS) — The average price of a gallon of self-serve regular gasoline in Los Angeles County rose Friday for the 26th consecutive day, increasing 2.1 cents to $5.29, its highest amount since Nov. 21.

The average price has increased 31.8 cents over the past 26 days, including 1 cent Thursday, according to figures from the AAA and the Oil Price Information Service. The streak of increases follows a run of six decreases in seven days, totaling 2.2 cents.

The average price is 9.6 cents more than one week ago and 30.3 cents higher than one month ago, but 6 cents less than one year ago. It has dropped $1.204 since rising to a record $6.494 on Oct. 5.

The Orange County average price rose for the 17th time in 18 days, increasing 2.4 cents to $5.239, its highest amount since Nov. 19. It has increased 21.5 cents over the past 18 days, including six-tenths of a cent Thursday.

The Orange County average price is 9.4 cents more than one week ago 31.6 cents higher than one month ago and nine-tenths of a cent above what it was one year ago. It has dropped $1.22 since rising to a record $6.459 on Oct. 5.

“Oil Price Information Service reported (Thursday) morning that Los Angeles and San Francisco wholesale gasoline prices are surging because there is limited supply on the wholesale market and a lot of demand from refiners looking to buy excess supply,” said Doug Shupe, the Automobile Club of Southern California’s corporate communications manager.

“The combination of those factors is continuing to put upward pressure on prices at the pump.”

A run of 26 increases in 30 days to the national average price totaling 31.2 cents ended Friday with a decrease of two-tenths of a cent to $3.873. It is 3.2 cents more than one week ago and 31 cents higher than one month ago, but 5.8 cents less than one year ago.

The national average price has dropped $1.143 since rising to a record $5.016 on June 14, 2022.