Gas Prices Spike For February
DEARBORN (WWJ/AP) - Think gas prices only spike ahead of holidays? Not so fast. AAA Michigan says gasoline prices have jumped 32 cents during the past week to a statewide average of about $3.70 per gallon.
The auto club says Monday the average is about 16 cents per gallon more than last year at this time.
Of the cities it surveys, AAA Michigan says the cheapest price for self-serve unleaded fuel is in the Marquette area, where it's about $3.59 a gallon. The highest average is in the Grand Rapids area at about $3.73.
Ann Arbor's average increased to $3.72 a gallon, up from $3.40; Lansing went to $3.71 from $3.39; and Flint moved up to $3.69 from $3.34.
Some drivers said they were blindsided.
Analysts say it's unusual for this time of year, but they say a rise in crude oil and lack of refinery capacity may be to blame and an explosion last week at a Toledo refinery could bring even more bad news at the pump.
Dearborn-based AAA Michigan surveys 2,800 Michigan gas stations daily.
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