After declining throughout the winter, gasoline prices have started to rise in the last couple of weeks as the price of crude oil inches up and refineries begin getting ready for the spring driving season.
The national average price of gas has increased for six consecutive days for the first time since early November, though drivers continue to enjoy relatively low prices at the pump, AAA reported.
Prices at the pump have climbed by four cents per gallon versus one week ago and are likely to continue to rise as the spring refinery maintenance season ramps up. Monthly and yearly savings persist and drivers are saving five cents on the month and 65 cents on the year, AAA said.
Overall, prices are relatively steady and have moved by 3 cents per gallon in 30 states and Washington, D.C. week-over-week. But prices climbed higher by double digits on the week in 10 states with the largest price jumps in Iowa and Oklahoma where prices climbed by 18 cents per gallon, and Minnesota by 17 cents per gallon.
Arizona is the only state where gas prices are down a nickel per gallon week-over-week.
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Gas prices are moving higher in many parts of the country as refinery maintenance season gets underway and as some refineries cut production in response to abundant supplies. Swings in gas prices at the regional level are typical for this time of year as many refineries conduct maintenance in advance of the busy summer driving season.
AAA said despite these seasonal increases, abundant gasoline supplies and lower crude oil costs should keep gas prices from rising as high as drivers have seen in recent years.
Compared to a month ago, gas prices are down in 36 states and Washington, D.C. over the month, with the largest monthly savings west of the Rockies in Arizona where prices are down by 31 cents, Nevada by 29 cents per gallon and Alaska by 25 cents per gallon.
But drivers in 14 states are paying more at the pump versus one month ago, and prices are up by a dime or more per gallon in the Midwestern states of Minnesota where prices have jumped by 16 cents per gallon, as well Oklahoma, Iowa, Ohio and Illinois.
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Pump prices in 31 states are at or below the $1.75 per gallon and consumers in Arizona, Tennessee and South Carolina at $1.53 per gallon are paying the nation’s lowest averages at the pump, according to AAA.
Gas prices in nearly every state (49) and Washington, D.C., are discounted by more than a quarter per gallon, and drivers in 43 states are saving 50 cents or more per gallon on the year. California, Arizona, Oregon and Nevada are posting the largest yearly discounts at the pump.
The world’s top oil producing nations recently have considered potential agreements that would freeze production levels to stabilize prices.
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Despite these discussions, many of these countries rely on oil profits to finance national operations and social programs, and thus any agreement faces significant headwinds as countries look to fill budget deficits by producing oil at higher levels, according to AAA.
Well,,,,, here in my town in South West Michigan, a few weeks ago we were paying $1.24 per gallon. Since then the price per gallon has risen to $1.49, $1.59, $1.79 and this week, $1.99. Each rise was followed by a dip of five to eight cents before making the next jump. Today we are at $1.96. I think it s called price gouging.
Yes would definitely also say we’re being Gouged. Why does every station, of any brand, across town change prices at same time? Also, why does every refinery choose to “change over & close down” at the same time? You’d think by now they could figure out how to rotate schedules for this. But no, don’t try to help out the poor consumer!
I agree therr, these reported 5 cent and 10 cent jumps are nothing compared to what we’ve been going through here in IL. The prices have been jumping leaps and bounds like Superman. Up to $2.39 for premium in my area, semi-rural NW Illinois. I can just imagine what they are in Chicago!
The whole spring driving season and maintenance excuses are just that, excuses. They can’t be doing too much maintenance as there are always stories of explosions and shut-downs due to poor / non-existent maintenance. Also the so-called summer-blend switch. If the companies haven’t determined how to do the switch w/o causing MAJOR price increases by this time, they need to be restructured in a significant way.
Even though these prices are still low compared to a couple years ago, it still causes people to complain as there are no fundamental reasons for the increases other than gouging and greed.