Spring break, exports push gas prices higher

ATLANTA — After two weeks of the lowest average gas prices among Georgia’s 15 metro areas, a 9.1-cent increase over the past week shot Albany’s average price up to $2.38 and left it in the middle of the pack, according to gas survey company AAA-The Auto Club Group.

Both AAA and GasBuddy, a similar company that surveys thousands of gas retailers across Georgia and the nation to provide up-to-the-minute gas prices across the country, showed prices rising across the state and the nation. GasBuddy had Georgia’s average price Monday at $2.41 a gallon, up 5.9 cents over the previous week. AAA had the state’s average at $2.44, a 7-cent increase from the previous week.

AAA showed the national average Monday at $2.55 up 5.6 cents a gallon, while GasBuddy had the national average at $2.54 a gallon, up 2.5 cents a gallon.

The most expensive gas price averages in Georgia, according to AAA, are in Atlanta ($2.49), Savannah ($2.46), and Hinesville-Fort Stewart ($2.45) The state’s least expensive gas price averages are in Augusta-Aiken ($2.34), Warner Robins ($2.34), and Catoosa-Dade-Walker ($2.35)

“Gas prices remained mostly in check over the last week, yet the national average pushed higher as seasonal factors continue to weigh on the market, led by jumps at the pump in some Great Lakes states over the weekend,” Patrick DeHaan, head of petroleum analysis for GasBuddy, said. “The national average now stands at its highest level in over a month and is likely to continue moving higher in the weeks ahead as demand continues to recover from the winter blues and the transition to summer gasoline kicks into high gear.

“Overall, gas prices this spring will come in some 10-25 percent higher than a year ago, removing billions of dollars from other areas of the economy that will instead be funneled to the pump.”

AAA officials said an increase in exports and the onset of spring break impacted the price increases across the country.

“There are a few of factors that gave gas prices a boost, but this time it wasn’t crude oil,” Mark Jenkins, a spokesman for AAA, said. “Gasoline supplies took a sharp dip last week, as exports rose and refineries began to switch from summer to winter blend gasoline. In addition, demand in the Southeast — especially in Florida — is strong, as Americans hit the road for spring break.

“We also noticed strong gains in wholesale gasoline prices last week, which should signal additional increases at the pump this week.”