The pace of the increase in gasoline prices has slowed, as the nationwide average approaches a new high for the year. The average price of self-serve regular Friday is $2.72 a gallon, according to AAA.
Today's national average price of diesel fuel is $2.883, up a penny from last Friday. Prices for gasoline have risen about seven cents a gallon in the last month, following a slow climb in crude oil prices, which this week closed back above the $80 a barrel mark. Though the winter heating season is winding down, the summer driving season is ahead, though U.S. gasoline demand continues to be weak.
"March marks the start of maintenance season for many refineries operating in the United States," said Andrew Delmege, AAA's manager of regulatory affairs. "Given the troubled state of the refinery business - many have been shuttered due to weak demand and minuscule margins - additional shut downs for maintenance may cause some headaches should demand for gasoline increase."
The states with the highest average price of gas include:Hawaii ($3.442) Alaska ($3.359) California ($3.041) Washington ($2.927) New York ($2.882) Oregon ($2.84) Nevada ($2.803) Florida ($2.773) District of Columbia ($2.771) Wisconsin ($2.707)
The states with the lowest average price of gas include:Missouri ($2.537) New Jersey ($2.573) South Carolina ($2.582) Texas ($2.582) Wyoming ($2.584) Oklahoma ($2.589) Virginia ($2.614) Tennessee ($2.615) Ohio ($2.623) Mississippi ($2.627)
Copyright 2010 consumeraffairs.com
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