Gas prices continue to rise in Bakersfield

According to GasBuddy, gas prices in Bakersfield have gone up 16.8 cents per gallon in the past week.

Their daily survey of 300 Bakersfield gas stations averaged at $3.19 per gallon on Sunday. The national average is $2.53 per gallon, having gone up 6.5 cents in the last week.

Prices yesterday were 38.7 cents higher than the same day a year ago and are 15.2 cents per gallon higher than a month ago. The national average stands 32 cents higher than a year ago.

GasBuddy's data shows that gas prices in Bakersfield have varied a lot in the last five years:

• 2012: $4.04/g
• 2013: $3.61/g
• 2014: $3.32/g
• 2015: $2.85/g
• 2016: $2.81/g

Patrick DeHaan, head of petroleum analysis for GasBuddy said that there are many factors contributing to the recent rise in prises.

"Such a strong weekly upward move is rare in the fall, but is explained by a confluence of factors, including oil prices hitting a new 2017 high, a major pipeline leak resulting in disruption, autumn refinery maintenance, but perhaps among the more surprising- robust demand for gasoline so late in the season," DeHaan Said.

"Such demand has magnified relatively mundane factors into a major gas price event for much of the United States and Canada. But some slowdown is expected in the Great Lakes, the region hardest hit with price spikes in the last week."