Gasoline prices are surging just in time for Easter and Passover holiday travel.
Prices this year have made their highest month-to-month spring jump since 1999, according to AAA’s Daily Fuel Gauge Report.
“This year’s gigantic jumps are outrageous and defy explanation,” said AAA Mid-Atlantic spokeswoman Ragina C. Averella.
“That’s utter nonsense,” said John Felmy, chief economist for the American Petroleum Institute. He said crude oil prices have gone up due to international forces such as tense U.S. relations with Iran and higher demand from China, in addition to the introduction of new fuels and the cost of ethanol.
In Washington, the average price for a gallon of unleaded regular is $2.76, 40 cents more than a month ago and 49 cents higher than this time last year.
The average price in Virginia is $2.70, 50 cents higher than a year ago today.
In Maryland, the average price is $2.71 — 39 cents higher than this time last month.
Tensions between Iran and the United States are pushing oil prices higher even as U.S. demand continues to rise — it’s 1.5 percent higher than last year, according to AAA.
Prices are nearing or even passing $3 a gallon in some places, and the U.S. Energy Department says this summer will be worse than last summer, which saw prices spike to historic levels because of the barrage of hurricanes in the Gulf of Mexico.
The Energy Department says it expects the price of regular gasoline to average $2.62 a gallon, 25 cents more than last summer, during the April-September driving period.
Prices are expected to peak in May and drop off in late summer.
– The Associated Press contributed to this report.
