Drivers in California and across the county are facing higher prices at the pump as crude oil prices increase.According to AAA, crude prices are going up due to the uncertainty caused by the conflict between Ukraine and Russia. Russia exports approximately five million barrels of crude oil every day, representing about 12 percent of global trade, according to the International Energy Agency. Expensive oil has pushed gas prices to new heights. The average price of a gallon of regular in California hit a record high on Friday.AAA reported the average price statewide reached $5.07, a 13 cent increase from the day before. Prices in California have increased by 28 cents over the past week, according to AAA.Gas prices in parts of the Central Coast have also hit record highs, according to AAA.In Salinas, the average price for a gallon of regular hit $5.10 on Friday, the highest average price ever recorded, AAA said. The price increased by 13 cents from Thursday to Friday.Salinas has seen a 34 cent increase in the average price of gas since Feb. 25, AAA data shows.Prices have reached similar highs in the Santa Cruz-Watsonville metro area. According to AAA, the average price set a new record on Friday at $5.06 a gallon, a 16 cent increase from the day before.The average price in Santa Cruz County increased by 26 cents in the past week, AAA data shows.In San Benito County, AAA said the average price for a gallon of regular hit $5.04 on Friday. The agency did not have data from previous days.California is not the only state experiencing a surge in gas prices.Since last Thursday, Michigan, Indiana, Illinois, Ohio, Tennessee, Kentucky, South Carolina, Georgia, Delaware and Alabama have seen increases in their averages ranging between 18 to 39 cents.
Drivers in California and across the county are facing higher prices at the pump as crude oil prices increase.
According to AAA, crude prices are going up due to the uncertainty caused by the conflict between Ukraine and Russia.
Russia exports approximately five million barrels of crude oil every day, representing about 12 percent of global trade, according to the International Energy Agency.
Expensive oil has pushed gas prices to new heights. The average price of a gallon of regular in California hit a record high on Friday.
AAA reported the average price statewide reached $5.07, a 13 cent increase from the day before. Prices in California have increased by 28 cents over the past week, according to AAA.
Gas prices in parts of the Central Coast have also hit record highs, according to AAA.
In Salinas, the average price for a gallon of regular hit $5.10 on Friday, the highest average price ever recorded, AAA said. The price increased by 13 cents from Thursday to Friday.
Salinas has seen a 34 cent increase in the average price of gas since Feb. 25, AAA data shows.
Prices have reached similar highs in the Santa Cruz-Watsonville metro area. According to AAA, the average price set a new record on Friday at $5.06 a gallon, a 16 cent increase from the day before.
The average price in Santa Cruz County increased by 26 cents in the past week, AAA data shows.
In San Benito County, AAA said the average price for a gallon of regular hit $5.04 on Friday. The agency did not have data from previous days.
California is not the only state experiencing a surge in gas prices.
Since last Thursday, Michigan, Indiana, Illinois, Ohio, Tennessee, Kentucky, South Carolina, Georgia, Delaware and Alabama have seen increases in their averages ranging between 18 to 39 cents.