With Spring Break here, drivers encounter a familiar, unwelcome trend: rising gas prices. 

In Los Angeles County, the price at the pump has surged past the $5 mark, with the California average for a gallon of regular gas at $4.986, marking a significant increase from last week and the previous month. This uptick is not just confined to Los Angeles; counties across Southern California are reporting similar trends, with Ventura County even topping these figures. 

The reasons behind this increase are multifaceted. Crude oil prices, which typically rise around this time of year, have soared to over $80 per barrel, a spike that inevitably trickles down to consumers. There are many conflicts in the Middle East, where California imports most of its oil, and Russia and Saudi Arabia continue decreasing output to increase oil prices and their profits. 

There’s also a noticeable increase in demand as people take to the roads for spring break, exerting additional pressure on gas prices.

Adding to the complexity is California’s impending switch to its summer gas blend, which could further inflate prices by an additional 15 cents per gallon. This blend is more costly to produce, contributing to the state’s already higher-than-average gas prices. California’s unique environmental regulations and higher gas taxes play a significant role in these higher costs compared to the national average, which sits at $3.533 per gallon.

This current scenario underscores a broader, more concerning trend: the decline in domestic oil production and a reliance on imported oil. Since 2018, U.S. oil production has decreased by 40%, while imports from foreign countries have increased. This shift towards dependency on foreign oil comes at a cost that is becoming increasingly apparent at gas stations across the state. As we trade our energy independence for imported oil, the financial burden becomes greater, affecting everyone who depends on a vehicle for transportation