Gas Prices Going Up As Temperatures Start To Rise
BALTIMORE (WJZ) -- Just in time for Memorial Day weekend, gas prices are back on the rise. Prices were steadily falling most of the year. But now with summer drawing closer, prices are going up.
Meghan McCorkell has more on the impact it's having.
In Maryland, gas prices have gone up more than 20 cents in the past month.
As the temperatures start to rise, the price of gas is also going up.
"I'm a little bit worried that it's going to go up kind of high," said Kellee Gonzalez, driver.
According to AAA Mid-Atlantic, as we inch closer to Memorial Day weekend, gas prices rose 32 out of the past 34 days. Drivers are noticing.
"It's still spring and it's high already," said Omar Rodriguez, driver.
A weakened U.S. dollar and slowing U.S. oil production--causing the increase.
"There's an expected demand increase in China, which is one of the factors we're seeing crude oil prices go up," said Ragina Cooper Averella, AAA.
Even with the prices at the pump creeping up, we're still seeing a significant drop from year's past.
Right now, the national average for a gallon of regular gas is $2.71.
Last Memorial Day, it was nearly a dollar higher at $3.65.
In 2013, the national average was $3.66.
"Motorists will probably be paying the least they've paid for a Memorial Day holiday weekend in about five years," said Averella.
That's got some drivers planning ahead.
"We'll be traveling over the the Memorial Day weekend. I expect it to be costing more later in the week, so I'm filling up now," said Kate Masterton, driver.
A record number of travelers are expected to hit the road this holiday weekend.
AAA officials say they don't anticipate any major spike before the end of this week.
The highest gas prices in the country right now are in California, where drivers are paying a whopping $3.81 a gallon.