After a week in which the national average held unchanged, gas prices have resumed their climb but by how much depends on who you ask and where you live.
In Los Angeles, drivers are seeing a tri fold increase driven by overseas instability, seasonal demand and refinery maintenance. According to GasBuddy, local prices are up about 20 cents in the last week and 35 cents over the last month.
Nationally, prices have increased 6.5 cents compared to a week ago at $3.57 per gallon today, according to GasBuddy data compiled from more than 12 million individual price reports covering over 150,000 gas stations across the country. The national average is up 17.1 cents from a month ago, but 0.8 cents per gallon lower than a year ago. The national average price of diesel has increased 3.1 cents in the last week and stands at $4.02 per gallon—15 cents lower than one year ago.
AAA says the national average for a gallon of gas climbed just three pennies to $3.56 since last week.
“Renewed Ukrainian attacks on Russia’s oil infrastructure and increasing tension in the Middle East spiked oil prices recently,” said Andrew Gross, AAA spokesperson. “And with the cost of oil accounting for roughly 60% of what we pay at the pump, there will likely be some upward pressure on prices.”
According to new data from the Energy Information Administration, gas demand rose from 8.72 to 9.23 million b/d last week. Meanwhile, total domestic gasoline stocks decreased by 4.2 million bbl to 227.8 million bbl. Higher demand and rising oil prices will likely nudge pump prices higher.
Today’s national average of $3.56 is 21 cents more than a month ago and six cents more than a year ago.
GasBuddy experts said the impending switch over to California’s summer blend gasoline also takes refineries offline, prompting an increase in prices.
“After a brief break, gas prices have leapt back up, driven by extensive refinery maintenance on the West Coast, where prices have increased notably; only a handful of states have seen prices decline over the last week,” said Patrick De Haan, head of petroleum analysis at GasBuddy. “With oil prices rising to nearly $87 per barrel last week, their highest since October, we are not only facing the seasonal factors that push prices up—refinery maintenance, the switch to summer gasoline, and rising demand—but also escalating crude oil prices as OPEC’s production cuts continue to cause declining global oil inventories, with escalations between Iran and Israel adding to concerns of further destabilization. The West Coast is likely to see gas prices continue to jump, and in a week or so, will be joined by the mid-Atlantic and Northeast states as they wrap up the transition to summer gasoline.”
GasBuddy tips for increase mileage:
Keep your vehicle well-maintained
Routine maintenance is crucial for optimal fuel economy. Change your air filters regularly and keep your tires properly inflated. Outdated parts or any issues with your vehicle can drastically reduce MPG.
Lighten the load
The more weight in your vehicle, the more fuel it will consume. Clear out any unnecessary items from your trunk, backseat, and cargo areas. Remove bulky roof racks when not in use to improve aerodynamics.
Go easy on the gas and brake pedals
Aggressive driving with frequent stops, starts and rapid acceleration can severely hurt your gas mileage. Accelerate and decelerate smoothly and gradually. Look ahead and time stoplights to avoid unnecessary braking.
Use cruise control
Maintaining a constant speed on the highway makes the most efficient use of fuel. Set your cruise control when safe to do so to avoid unintentional speed fluctuations.
Check gasbuddy for cheap gas nearby
Why pay more than you need to for gas? Use the GasBuddy app to quickly locate the cheapest gas stations along your route. With data from millions of drivers, you’ll always find the best prices.
Combine trips and avoid excessive idling
Each cold start increases fuel consumption, so combine multiple errands into one trip rather than making lots of shorter drives. Idling gets 0 MPG, so shut off your engine if you’ll be stopped for more than 30 seconds (except in traffic).
Obey the speed limit
Gas mileage drops rapidly at speeds above 50 MPH. Each 5 MPH over 50 MPH is like paying an extra $0.24 per gallon for gas. Follow posted limits.
Use recommended motor oil and keep it fresh
Check your owner’s manual and use the manufacturer’s recommended grade of motor oil. Replacing it at specified intervals reduces engine drag.
Don’t idle to warm up
Idling gets 0 MPG. The best way to warm up your vehicle is to drive it. Modern engines only need 30 seconds of idling on winter days before getting underway.
matt@smdp.com