Gas prices are still over a $1.25 less than they were a year ago but with the summer driving season rapidly approaches prices are going to climb. Reuters reports that the new Lundberg Survey found gas prices climbed nearly ten cents over the past week.
The average national price for self-serve regular unleaded gasoline was $2.048 a gallon on April 10, up 9.58 cents from March 20, according to the survey of gas stations.
The price was a whopping $1.27 below a year ago levels, when crude oil prices soared.
"The major cause of the rise of nearly a dime in three weeks is seasonal gasoline demand, not only because our consumption rises month by month, but because of the cost of environmental compliance," Survey editor Trilby Lundberg said in an interview.
As the weather warms, refiners are required to limit vapor pressure in order to avoid smog production. This adds to the cost per gallon, she said.
The AAA's Fuel Gauge Report shows gas prices up about 12 cents from one week ago. This year's peak prices should stay well south of last year's gasoline prices but with the recession continuing any increase be unwelcomed by consumers.
