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Gas Prices Begin Strong Upsurge For Summer

Julius Caesar was warned about “the Ides of March,” but for modern drivers, the Ides of July brought the bad news of gasoline prices surging across the U.S., up almost a quarter per gallon in some places. The latest pricing survey from the Energy Information Administration shows the average price of one gallon of regular unleaded is now $3.64 per gallon, up an astonishing 15-cents in just one week.

Drivers in the Midwest, where weather conditions in May created gas price havoc, are reliving the price shock at the pump, only worse. Prices leaped ahead by an average of 23-cents per gallon across nearly all of the Midwest. Only the Rocky Mountain states and the broader West Coast states escaped such drastic price swings during the past week, but prices still increased by about 9-cents per gallon in most states west of the Rockies.

Diesel fuel pump icon — Weekly diesel price survey

Cost instability also afflicted truckers, at least moreso than during most recent weeks. The avereage price of a gallon of diesel fuel ticked upward by about four cents; but areas of the Gulf Coast and U.S. West Coast saw prices rise more than a nickel per gallon.

A number of factors could be contributing to the summer gas price increases, including fresh high prices for oil futures amid very tight supplies. Brent oil neared $110 per barrel as oil inventories decline and refinery capacity remains restrained this year. As mentioned, severe weather conditions across the Midwest during May cause shipping and refinery problems, and this year’s permanent closure of other refineries has also contributed to the cost pressure at the pump.

Year over year, most American drivers are paying between 18 and 25 cents per gallon more for gas. Translated to a full fill-up of a 15-gallon tank, that is the equivalent of an extra $2.70 to $3.75 per gallon more per tank.

DOWNLOAD THE EIA WEEKLY GAS PRICE SURVEY

Gas Prices Begin Upward Climb As Crude Oil Prices Retreat Slightly

Gas prices nudged upward in some regions, and truckers, in particular, found themselves paying more at the pump during the past several days as the price of a gallon of diesel began creeping higher in the wake of a spike in commodities prices during the past week.

Overall, the price of a gallon of unleaded gasoline was fairly flat across most regions, although higher in New England and the Midwest. Diesel prices were broadly higher across the United States, but slightly lower in the New England and Rocky Mountain states. The prices are detailed in the latest weekly survey from the Energy Information Administration.

The price fluctuations come amid a spike last week in crude oil futures, which came as unrest in Egypt gave rise to concerns about global supplies. However, crude oil prices were down from last week’s highs Monday. Still the summer driving season has been rocked by refinery issues and flooding problems in the Midwest, political unrest across the Middle East, and a train derailment in Quebec Saturday, July 6, that could further exacerbate supply issues, even though reserves remain fairly stable across North America.

The average price of a gallon of unleaded, nationwide, was just under $3.50; although prices along the West Coast and California remained significantly higher, with some people paying upward of $4.00 for a gallon of regular unleaded.

Prices of diesel remained at about $3.83 per gallon, on average, during the past week; however, truckers along the West Coast and in New England were paying at or above $4.00 per gallon.

DOWNLOAD THE WEEKLY EIA GAS PRICE SURVEY

July Starts With Bang Of A Decline In Gas Prices

The month of America’s independence got off to an across-the-nation drop in gas prices, helping many people save anywhere from a few pennies to several dollars on a tank of gas, depending upon where they live. The decline in gas prices varied widely by region again this week, according to the EIA weekly survey, but for the first time in several weeks, drivers in every region enjoyed a drop in the cost of fuel.

The average price of a gallon of gas fell by just over eight-cents during the week, with prices in the midwest continuing to plummet as the region continues to recover from dramatic weather and refinery issues suffered during May. The average cost of gallon of unleaded fell by 15-cents across the Midwest during the past week. In all, Midwest gas prices have fallen nearly 50-cents per gallon during the past three weeks.

For most of the rest of America’s drivers, the price declines were far more modest, with the average driver outside of the Midwest seeing declines of anywhere from three to seven cents per gallon. As of July 1, the average U.S. cost of a gallon of regular unleaded was down to about $3.50; with prices in California and on the West Coast averaging $3.89 and $3.70, respectively. The lowest prices for fuel are to be found along the Gulf Coast, where a gallon of gas is about $3.31.

For the truckers moving products, and in some cases gasoline, across the United States, the price of diesel dropped during the past week, as well. Price declines were seen in every region of the U.S., but compared to gas, the drop in diesel prices was very slim. Diesel prices per gallon fell by only about two cents per gallon, to a national average of about $3.82.

DOWNLOAD THE EIA WEEKLY GAS PRICE SURVEY

Gas Prices Notch Downward, But Remain Above 2012 Levels

Gasoline prices edged downward in most regions of the United States this week, and the overall national average of a gallon of regular unleaded dropped by about five-cents per gallon during the past week. However, the biggest declines were to be found in the Midwestern USA, which is still recovering from last month’s major flooding, which put refineries and shipping routes out of commission.

The weekly fuel survey from the Energy Information Administration shows gas prices across the Midwest declined by an average of 19-cents per gallon, which helped offset, at the national level, a rise in fuel prices along the West Coast and the Central Atlantic states. Most of New England and Gulf Coast enjoyed stable gas prices, although there was a slight decline across the Lower Atlantic, to the measure of about two-cents per gallon.

Overall, gas prices have been mixed during June, which followed May’s dramatic increases in fuel prices. Overall, the price hikes in May, which hit all regions of the United States, pushed the year-over-year gasoline costs higher. Until the middle of May, 2013 gas prices had been lower than last year.

Currently, the national average of regular unleaded is now about 14-cents per gallon higher than last year, settling in at about $3.58 per gallon. The highest prices are on the West Coast, where fuel averages $3.95 per gallon. The Gulf Coast currently enjoyes the lowest prices, with a regional average cost of about $3.38 per gallon.

The news is worse for truckers and drivers of any diesel-powered motor. The cost of a gallon of fulel notched up during the past week, but the year-over-year cost is higher by as much as 24-cents per gallon, particularly in the Midwest. The national average of a cost of diesel fuel is currently $3.84 per gallon, which is 16-cents higher than this time one year ago.

DOWNLOAD THE WEEKLY GAS PRICE SURVEY

Midwest Gas Prices Lead Nationwide Cost Decline, But Gulf States Pay More

The gasoline prices across the United States declined a bit during the past week, due in large part to steep price declines in the Midwestern states. Much of the Midwest, particularly Michigan, Wisconsin and Illinois, had suffered under major price hikes during May, the result of refinery problems and shipping problems caused by major flooding throughout the region. As those issues have assuaged, the gas prices in the region have been given to deep declines.

Overall, the average price of a gallon of regular unleaded gas went down by about three-cents per gallon, according to the latest survey from the Energy Information Administration. The averages were led by those Midwestern price declines, which averaged 13-cents per gallon. However, gas prices in most other regions were either flat to higher, particularly in the Gulf Coast states, from Louisiana to Florida, where prices increased by about four-cents per gallon.

For truckers and other diesel operators, the cost of a gallon of diesel fuel was mixed during the past week. The average price of a gallon of fuel was down about one-cent per gallon, although prices were largely up or down by a penny, depending upon the region. Prices fell in the Midwest and Gulf Coast states, but those same prices increased across the Rocky Mountains, West Coast and California.

DOWNLOAD THE WEEKLY EIA GAS PRICE SURVEY

Gas Prices Mixed, But Truckers Catch A Break As School Breaks For Summer

Gas prices were mixed across the U.S. during the past week; but overall, fuel price increases during May have eliminated the year over year price breaks drivers had been enjoying during 2013.

The cost of a gallon of gas was up just slightly across the New England, Lower Atlantic and Midwestern states during the past week, while nearly all other regions enjoyed a bit of a price break, according to the latest gas price survey from the Energy Information Administration.

The EIA survey for June 10 shows drivers across the northeast paying about a penny per gallon more for regular unleaded gas. That fate also fell upon drievers in the Lower Atlantic states, but the price of gas across the Midwest was up about three cents per gallon.

Meanwhile, the cost of gas across the Rocky Mountain states and much of the West Coast was down by one to two cents per gallon. California was a drag on the general West Coast average, where gas prices were down more than in the Golden State.

For truckers and other drivers of diesel-powered vehicles, the coste of diesel fuel was down between two and three cents in nearly all regions, although the Central Atlantic states and New England did not enjoy much of a price break. In those areas, the price of a gallon of diesel was either flat or dropped by only a penny per gallon.

For gas prices and diesel costs across the United States, year over year prices are now nearly on par with this time last year. For the most part, gas prices which had been significantly lower than their contemporaneous 2012 rates are now either about the same or slightly higher. For gasoline, the price is now about 9-cents higher than this time in 2012 while diesel is about 7-cents per gallon higher.

DOWNLOAD THE WEEKLY EIA GAS PRICE SURVEY

Gas Prices Relax After Late Spring Surge

The cost to drive stabilized or declined, at least in terms of gas prices, as the start of June heralded the arrival of lower fuel costs in most regions of the United States. The U.S. Energy Information Administration reports the average nationwide cost of a gallon of gas was relatively flat, as declines across the West Coast and the Eastern Seaboard were offset by a spike in Midwestern fuel prices. The costs of detailed in this week’s gas price survey from the EIA.

For most drivers, the cost of a gallon of regular unleaded dropped this week by 2-cents to 4-cents per gallon. But the Midwest states, beseiged lately by refinery issues and supply problems caused by regional flooding, saw prices rise by an average of 6-cents per gallon. That rise came on the heels of a single-week decline in prices, which has all but been erased by the current price increase.

For truckers and other haulers using diesel fuel, the cost of a fill-up has been declining for most of Spring. This week was no different, as fuel prices dropped an average of a penny per gallon. However, the decline in diesel prices has been slowing in recent weeks. The average price of diesel is now at $3.87 per gallon, nationwide, with prices much lower across the Gulf Coast and much higher in California.

DOWNLOAD THE WEEKLY EIA GAS PRICE SURVEY

Gas Prices Keep Rising, Now Up 15¢ Since Start of May

The price of gasoline across the United States continues to rise, and the increases show no signs of topping off as the average price of a gallon of regular unleaded has jumped 15-cents since May 1st. The latest weekly gas price survey from the Energy Information Administration shows the cost of fuel lurched forward another 7 cents this past week.

The U.S. average was led by huge increases in the Rocky Mountain states and in the Midwest, the latter of which is typically a harbinger of things to come in the broader U.S. market. In most Midwestern states, the cost of a gallon of gas skyrocketed by an average of 18-cents per gallon, coming on the heels of a 7-cent per gallon increase last week, which followed a nickel increase per gallon the previous week. In all, the heartland of the U.S. has seen gas prices up a quarter per gallon since the beginning of the month.

Meanwhile, for truckers and other drivers with diesel engines, the cost of rolling across the highways and turnpikes has also increased, although not as dramatically. Diesel fuel prices ticked up about 2-cents per gallon in most regions, with the Gulf Coast states and West Coast witnesses increases between 4-cents and 5-cents per gallon.

Gasoline prices had been declining steadily through March and April, impelling the EIA to estimate summer gas prices would settle around $3.63 per gallon through the summer; however, the current price of fuel, just ahead of the Memorial Day driving frenzy, is already $3.67, with prices at or near $4.00 per gallon in some places across the West Coast and California. But the West Coast, which traditionally has higher fuel costs than the rest of the nation, was not suffering as badly as some drivers in Minnesota and Illinois.

In Minneapolis, TV station KSTP 5 reported the price for a gallon of regular unleaded was selling for as much as $4.34 per gallon Saturday, ranking it near the highest in the U.S., even ahead of Hawaii. Many drivers were interviewed on the street, relaying their particular pain at the gas pump.

The rise in fuel prices has been blamed on the closure of two refineries in Chicago, as heavy rains caused problems with the refineries and pipelines that carry other fuels. With a torrent of bad weather striking across the United States Monday, including tornadic activity across Oklahoma and other Midwestern states, it was unclear how oil futures may be impacted, which could lead to further spikes in gas prices.

DOWNLOAD THE EIA WEEKLY GAS PRICE SURVEY

Monday the 13th Brings Bad News For Drivers

The price of gas across the nation took a solid turn for the worse during the past week, as confirmed by the weekly fuel price survey by the Energy Information Administration. The average price of a gallon of gas in the U.S. jumped by nearly 7-cents, but the cost of a gallon of regular unleaded was up by as much as 13-cents per gallon in places like Oregon, Washington and California. The lowest price increases were seen across the East Coast, where prices were generally up about 3-cents per gallon.

This week’s stark leap in the cost of fuel comes on the heels of a slow reversal in gas prices, which had been declining since the beginning of March. The May 6 EIA Survey showed prices were flat to slightly higher, a portent that a pre-summer hike in fuel prices was on the way. This week’s report confirmed that prediction.

The change in prices impacted the diesel pump this week, too, which last week was unaffected by the rise in fuel costs. But, the cost to drive a rig or fleet of trucks just jumped, with prices rising in nearly all states and regions. Only the Lower Atlantic and Gulf Coast states appeared to have been spared, as prices were largely flat in those regions. Elsewhere, the average price of diesel fule was up by four and five cents per gallon in California and the broader Western U.S. markets, respectively. The average price of diesel was up about 2-cents per gallon during the past week.

Mobil gas station in Fort Lauderdale — Average gas prices in some states were higher than their regional counterparts, like we found at this Fort Lauderdale gas station, located near Port Everglades.

Some states found themselves in the grip of higher gas prices than their surrounding regions, which was particularly true in Florida. The average price of fuel along the Lower Atlantic and Gulf Coast regions was anywhere from $3.37 to $3.47 per gallon.

However, some metropolitan areas witnessed fuel prices as high as $3.70 per gallon, for regular unleaded. The average prices across South Florida appeared to be beween $3.55 and $3.60 per gallon, as long as drivers avoided more remote stations.

The EIA had earlier this year predicted the summer price of gasoline would likely settle to about $3.63 per gallon, as a nationwide average, but that price may be due a revision, given the current spike in fuel prices. In California, for instance, the average price for a gallon of regular unleaded gas still remains around $4.00 per gallon, despite the price breaks in most other regions.

Midwestern states were also well above the national average for the week, where prices hovered around $3.68 per gallon.

DOWNLOAD THE WEEKLY EIA GAS PRICE SURVEY

Gas Prices Change Direction After Weeks Of Downhill Momentum

The trend of falling gas prices across the United States came grinding to a halt during the past week, at least for most of us, as the cost of the average gallon of unleaded gas flattened out or increased in most regions. On average, the price of a gallon of gas increased by about two-cents per gallon, a charge led by the West Coast and the Midwestern U.S, according to the latest gas price survey from the Department of Energy.

Midwest gas prices are often a portent of where broader national fuel prices are going next, at least when examining trend lines of recent fuel charges from the DOE’s Energy Information Administration. The EIA is predicting gas prices are likely to level off for the summer, settling into a nationwide average of about $3.53 per gallon for most of us. That would place average gas prices right about where they are now, although some volatility may still be expected.

Diesel fuel prices kept declining during the past week, although in many regions the price declines were not as deep as recent weeks. For the Midwest, the frequent bellweather of fuel costs, the average price of diesel fuel went up about three-cents per gallon. Nationwide, diesel costs were flat to slightly-lower, with the average U.S. trucker enjoying a penny per gallon decline in diesel charges.

DOWNLOAD THE EIA WEEKLY GAS PRICE SURVEY

Editor's note: TurnpikeInfo.com earlier had erroneously reported the EIA had predicted summer gas prices would be $3.63 per gallon for unleaded gasoline. That figure represented the 2012 pricing, not the 2013 pricing.