SAN DIEGO - Gas prices across the country are continuing to go down but here in San Diego we are seeing prices going back up.
On Wednesday AAA had the county average up to $5.38 a gallon, up two pennies from the previous day. The nationwide average continues on its downward trend to $3.70 a gallon.
Two of the reasons for the rise in gas prices in San Diego and California in general is because demand has remained high and because of maintenance done at several refineries in recent weeks. University of Southern California Professor Shon Hiatt tells NBC 7 while stations are in the process of switching to the lower cost Winter Blend, prices will likely continue to go up.
"This Winter Blend, I think, will only be beneficial until we get towards the end of October and then we're gonna see all the factors are pointing to an upward protectory in oil and retail prices," Hiatt said.
Professor Hiatt also says we could see a ten to 20 cent jump in gas prices because we are now at the end of the temporary release from the national oil reserves which was ordered by Press Biden earlier this year to help ease supply issues and bring down prices.
But San Diego County doesn't have the highest average gas price in the state. Residents of Alpine County on the Nevada state line are currently paying about $6.79 a gallon. For the lowest gas price in the state, you'd only have to travel about two hours East of San Diego: the average price of gas in El Centro is about $5.12.