California drivers are facing another sharp jump in fuel prices after a drone attack shut down a major Saudi Arabian oil pipeline and pushed crude back above $100 a barrel. The impact is being felt most heavily in California, where the state’s average price for regular gasoline reached $6 a gallon Monday, according to AAA.
In Los Angeles County, the average price for regular gas climbed to $6.04, while California’s statewide diesel average hit a record $8.15 a gallon. AAA said last week that oil had returned to the $100 range for the first time since July because of volatility around the Strait of Hormuz, and that current pump prices are similar to levels seen in early June.
The higher fuel costs could spill into broader consumer prices because diesel is used heavily in trucking and transportation. GasBuddy warned that while gasoline prices draw the headlines, diesel can have a much wider impact on inflation and business costs, eventually affecting grocery and other everyday goods.
Repairs to the damaged pipeline are expected to take three to five weeks, according to two local officials. If repairs are delayed, experts say California’s $6 gas may remain in place for some time.
