San Diego County drivers are paying some of the highest gas prices in the nation Saturday, with the average cost of a gallon of self-serve regular climbing to $5.533 — its highest level since Oct. 25, 2023, according to AAA and the Oil Price Information Service.

The county has seen 24 consecutive days of increases, with prices jumping 92.6 cents during that stretch — including 5.1 cents on Friday alone. Prices are now 38.7 cents higher than a week ago, 93 cents more than a month ago, and 85 cents higher than one year ago.

For Santee residents who commute daily on SR-52, SR-67, or I-8, the impact is real and direct. A typical 15-gallon fill-up at current county prices now runs over $82 — nearly $14 more than it did a month ago.

The Iran conflict is the primary driver. Gas prices had been rising modestly in line with seasonal trends before the joint U.S./Israel attack on Iran on Feb. 28 pushed oil prices above $100 a barrel and sharply accelerated increases at the pump. California is being hit harder than most states because the majority of its gasoline is refined from foreign crude oil sources, according to Kandace Redd, senior public affairs specialist for the Automobile Club of Southern California.

"Oil prices spiked over $100 a barrel on Monday and continue to be volatile as this conflict continues," Redd said. "California has experienced much higher price increases than other states because the majority of the state's gasoline is refined from foreign crude oil sources."

To help stabilize global oil markets, the U.S. announced a release of 172 million barrels from its Strategic Petroleum Reserve over four months, part of an International Energy Agency effort totaling 400 million barrels — the largest emergency release in its history. Even with recent gains, current prices remain 90.2 cents below San Diego's all-time record of $6.435, set Oct. 5, 2022.