But AAA says they still remain high.
Baltimore, Md (KM) The average price of gasoline in the United States passed the $5.00 per gallon mark last week , but it has come down slightly. AAA says as of Monday, the national average for unleaded regular is $4.98 per gallon. In Maryland, the average price is $4.95 per gallon; and in Frederick, the average price for unleaded regular is $4.93 per Gallon.
Ragina Ali, Public and Government Affairs Manager for AAA Mid-Atlantic, says high gas prices are s based upon a lot of factors, including the price of crude oil which traded at $108.93 per barrel on Friday. She also points to the increasing demand for gasoline from consumers outpacing tight global supplies. “Some bit to do with the war in Russia and Ukraine and some of the factors involving those geo-political events,” says Ali.
This trend of high gasoline prices may continue for a while. “Demand continues to climb, and that those global supplies continue to remain tight. With those factors still in play, it’s will be certainly interesting to see what gas prices do. But we do not see any immediate relief in sight,” says Ali.
These high prices come as the summer driving season is underway, and Ali says Americans are not cutting back on their great American road trip. “It doesn’t seem like drivers are really yet being deterred,” Ali says. :”And we’re attributing that to a lot to the pent up demand that came into play because of the COVID-19 lock down.”
In the meantime, AAA says there are some things motorists can to do help cope with high gasoline prices. They include regular maintenance on your car, and keeping the tires properly inflated. . Also, avoid idling. “We know that idling gets you zero miles per gallon,:” says Ali. “If you’re in a line waiting to use the drive-up teller at a bank, turn off your engine.
Another tip is driving at the speed limit. “Gas mileage decreases rapidly at speeds above 60-miles an hour,” says Ali. “In fact, for every five miles per hour you drive over 60-miles per hour it’s like paying an additional 15-cents per gallon of gasoline.”
Also, Ali says consolidate all of your errands into one trip.
AAA also has a web site you can view to see which gas stations in your community have the lowest prices. The web address is aaa.com/fuelfinder.
By Kevin McManus