Top > Business > 2006 > January > 2006-01-10

Gas Prices Still Rising

Gas prices in the states have skyrocketed in the past year. It has been quite a few years since gas has been affordable and with no foreseeable drop in the future. The per gallon price in the US seem astronomical considering that only 7 years ago regular gas was a mere .95 cents/gallon. The average retail price of a gallon of gasoline in the United States rose over the past three weeks, continuing recent increases that do not appear to be easing, as crude oil prices rise and other market changes kick in, an industry analyst said on Sunday.

The national average for self-serve, regular unleaded gas was $2.3008 on January 6, up 8.77 cents per gallon since the last nationwide Lundberg survey of gas stations on December 16. Prices fell nearly 88 cents per gallon between September 9, when they peaked at a record of $3.0117 per gallon, and December 2, survey editor Trilby Lundberg says, though they have risen steadily since.

A year ago, the January 7, 2005, survey had the price of a gallon of self-serve, regular unleaded at $1.7936. Prices were already expected to rise over the next few months, Lundberg said, driven by required fuel reformulations and various provisions of last year`s energy bills taking effect. The lowest prices were found in Salt Lake City, where drivers paid $2.05 per gallon of self-serve regular, highest were in Honolulu, at $2.59.