The AAA calculator found that the national average for regular gas is $4.589 for a gallon. It was $4.567 on Wednesday, $4.523 on Tuesday, and $4.470 on Monday.
Fox Business reported that gas averages at least $4 a gallon in all 50 states. I know ethanol gas is under $4 here in OKC but non-ethanol gas (which I will always choose!) is above $4.
AAA spokesman Andrew Gross said: “The high cost of oil, the key ingredient in gasoline, is driving these high pump prices for consumers. Even the annual seasonal demand dip for gasoline during the lull between spring break and Memorial Day, which would normally help lower prices, is having no effect this year.”
California leads the way at $6.021 a gallon. Kansas has the cheapest gas at $4.006 a gallon.
Houston, home to many refineries, hit over $4.00 a gallon for the first time in the city’s history. The city averages $4.16 a gallon for regular unleaded. Dallas and Fort Worth average $4.40 a gallon.
I’m still planning on my Boston road trip with my mom! Four days to get there, stopping at Revolutionary War and Civil War battlegrounds. It’ll be fun.
I’m not the only one who still plans on hitting the road. A GasBuddy survey found that “58% of Americans plan to road trip this summer.” This is higher than last year when America averaged $1.50 a gallon.
However, two-thirds of the 58% have not confirmed any plans. Inflation is also a thorn in their sides.
Still, though, the numbers are impressive:
“Against a backdrop of gas prices that have continued to set new records ahead of Memorial Day, Americans have been resilient in their desire to hit the road, but we’re certainly seeing increased hesitancy due to rising prices at the pump. Soaring inflation has led to uncertainty over rising costs,” said Patrick De Haan, head of petroleum analysis for GasBuddy. “The COVID factor is still present, but has been dwarfed by Americans’ concern over high gas prices and dwindling affordable travel options to make use of the best months of the year.”Nearly 70% of people surveyed said their travel plans have been affected by high gas prices, an increase of 24% over 2021. While more than one-third indicated that high inflation has made planning more difficult, and the majority (65%) are taking only one or two road trips.“It’s making it hard for people to be able to plan when costs are constantly going up,” said De Haan.“Consumer confidence is lower than we’ve seen in many years. Some sources even suggest that confidence is lower than during the 2008 recession,” said Dafna Gabel, vice president, Strategic Insights for PDI Software. “Those surveyed in 2022 shared that inflation has impacted behavior at the pump and in-store across the U.S., and barring significant shifts in inflation, these behavior adjustments are expected to continue.”“We’re seeing gas prices kind of disconnect with the price of oil because refineries are struggling to keep up with insatiable demand,” said De Haan. “So, it’s going to be a pricey summer.”
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