Average prices for regular self-service gasoline hit their highest levels this year on Tuesday, according to AAA?s daily online Fuel Gauge Report.
For Maryland on Tuesday, the average price for regular gasoline hit $3.06 per gallon, the most expensive price statewide for all 2006, AAA Mid-Atlantic reported.
Tuesday?s price was less than the $3.27 average price for gas in Maryland on Sept. 6, 2005, again a result of the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina.
“The fact that we are seeing the highest gas prices for 2006 is a very bleak sign ? particularly in the middle of the summer driving season,” said Amanda Knittle, a public affairs specialist with AAA Mid-Atlantic. The September 2005 prices were the highest for last year, AAA said.
Knittle said she suspects gasoline prices in the state and region will continue to rise.
She added that gasoline prices may rise in Maryland.
“But it looks like we could probably go higher ? certainly if any hurricanes hit and supply becomes very tight. We are already just 20 cents shy of last year?s record,” Knittle said.
Nationwide, the average price of regular self-service gasoline is $2.97 per gallon, according to AAA?s national headquarters in Orlando, Fla.
That price is the highest nationwide average since Sept. 5, 2005, when the average was $2.94 per gallon, AAA reported.
AAA?s Fuel Gauge Report is based on data collected by the Oil Price Information Service, which AAA said is the “the most comprehensive source of petroleum pricing information.”
AAA purchases the data and under an agreement makes it available free on the Internet as a public service.
One year ago, the nationwide average price of regular gasoline was $2.29 per gallon, AAA spokesman Geoff Sundstrom said.
GAS COSTS
» AAA recommends motorists combine trips as much as possible to conserve gas.
» AAA urges the federal government and automakers to work towards providing higher fuel economy vehicles.
» For more gasoline price data, visit www.aaanewsroom.net and double-click “FUEL.”
