Gasoline prices in Maryland, Baltimore and the nation are creeping up barely a week after the Nov. 7 general election ushered in a wave of Democrats to Congress and state houses across the country.
For the second straight day, average gas prices have risen slightly, going up a penny in Baltimore and Maryland, according to Towson-based AAA Mid-Atlantic. The average price for self-serve regular gas in Maryland rose to $2.17 per gallon on Tuesday from $2.16 per gallon on Monday, according to AAA?s Daily Fuel Gauge report.
And Monday?s price was a jump of two cents from Friday, when the average gasoline price was $2.14 per gallon. The general election was Nov. 7. Gasoline prices had held pretty much steady at $2.14 per gallon in Maryland from Nov. 3 to Nov. 10, according to AAA.
“Some of the increase in the gas price is probably fueled by the election,” said Ragina Averella, manager of public and government affairs for AAA Mid-Atlantic.
But she said motorists should not fret. Gasoline prices typically rise around the Thanksgiving holiday because of increased demand.
“We are still about 10 cents lower than we were at this time last year,” Averalla said.
She added that prices paid for oil futures continue to trade at below $60 per barrel, suggesting that price likely won?t rise significantly in the near term.
