Drivers See Sharp Jump In Local Gas Prices
By Mike DeNardo
PHILADELPHIA (CBS) -- Drivers have seen a sharp jump in Philadelphia-area gasoline prices lately.
Gas prices have taken a double-digit jump.
"In Philly, we have an average price of $2.02 a gallon. And that's up 12 cents a gallon just in the past week."
Gregg Laskoski, a senior petroleum analyst at Gasbuddy.com, says crude oil prices are up significantly in the last month, from $26 to $37 a barrel. Plus, he says, as refineries transition to more-expensive summer blend gasoline, the price trend points up.
"They've definitely bottomed out. We've seen, for the last couple of weeks now what has been a steady increase and we expect this to continue through March and April, perhaps peaking in May or June."
Laskoski projects gasoline this summer will still be cheaper than last summer and overall this year's national average will be $2.28 a gallon -- 13 cents less than 2015.