SAN FRANCISCO -- The cost of gasoline in California jumped 8 cents overnight and is poised to soar to the highest point this year in what analysts say is a supply problem fueled by refinery and pipeline outages.
The AAA's Daily Fuel Gauge on Thursday showed the average price for a gallon of regular gas rose 8 cents overnight, to $4.32, and was up 18 cents over the past week.
Average prices are also high nationally at $3.78 a gallon, but inventories in California are lower than they have been in more than 10 years.
The state's supply is hampered by its strict pollution limits, which require a special gasoline blend.
Patrick DeHaan, senior petroleum analyst at GasBuddy.com, said prices should continue to rise because wholesale gasoline prices have risen $1 a gallon, but average retail prices are only up 30 cents.