Gasoline prices soon to hit low point for 2012
Gas prices will soon drop to their lowest level of the year.
By Monday, the national average should fall below the $3.2775 a gallon drivers were paying on Jan. 1, according to analysts. The drop is a present for those planning to hit the road during what is expected to be the busiest Christmas travel season in six years.
Still, it's more like a stocking stuffer. That's because for the second straight year, Americans will spend a record amount on gasoline. The government estimates that gas averaged $3.63 a gallon this year, 10 cents above the record set a year ago.
Drivers can only hope that forecasts for lower prices next year come true.
A combination of high oil prices and supply shortages caused by refinery and pipeline problems kept gas prices elevated for most of the year. The national average hit a high of $3.94 a gallon in early April and was around $3.87 in September.
Prices have fallen in most areas since then as supplies got replenished and refiners switched to cheaper winter blends of fuel. However, New York and New Jersey saw temporary spikes in November due to Superstorm Sandy.
Californians continue to see some of the highest prices in the U.S. But they're probably relieved to be paying an average of $3.59 a gallon just two months after a refinery fire and pipeline shutdown sent prices soaring close to $5.
The nation's lowest prices are found mostly in the lower Midwest and parts of the South. Missouri is closest to cracking the $3 level, with its average price of $3.01.
By Monday, the national average should fall below the $3.2775 a gallon drivers were paying on Jan. 1, according to analysts. The drop is a present for those planning to hit the road during what is expected to be the busiest Christmas travel season in six years.
Still, it's more like a stocking stuffer. That's because for the second straight year, Americans will spend a record amount on gasoline. The government estimates that gas averaged $3.63 a gallon this year, 10 cents above the record set a year ago.
Drivers can only hope that forecasts for lower prices next year come true.
A combination of high oil prices and supply shortages caused by refinery and pipeline problems kept gas prices elevated for most of the year. The national average hit a high of $3.94 a gallon in early April and was around $3.87 in September.
Prices have fallen in most areas since then as supplies got replenished and refiners switched to cheaper winter blends of fuel. However, New York and New Jersey saw temporary spikes in November due to Superstorm Sandy.
Californians continue to see some of the highest prices in the U.S. But they're probably relieved to be paying an average of $3.59 a gallon just two months after a refinery fire and pipeline shutdown sent prices soaring close to $5.
The nation's lowest prices are found mostly in the lower Midwest and parts of the South. Missouri is closest to cracking the $3 level, with its average price of $3.01.
Gas should start at at $2.50 a gallon for Super unleaded and go down from there. The idiots that manufacture fuel and the auto industry would make double their current income because people would spend more on RV's, motor cycles, boats, cars, trucks, etc. etc.
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But try to explain that to them and they all look like deer in the headlights!
Am I the only one that finds it strange that the gas prices are falling, refineries are back in operation and there seems to be an oil glut on the market AFTER THE SUMMER DRIVE SEASON???? I might be wrong, but the oil companies seem to be manipulating things so we get stuck for higher prices just when it is vacation time or we are doing a lot of driving.
I just don't think it will go lower than 1970's prices.
There are stations in the South Sound area that are at the CA average of $3.59 price range. Diesel in the South Sound can be as high as $4.29 a gallon. We simply are not going to see any real drop in gas prices partly because of our state gas taxes. And our our very lame (duck) governess is going to propose something like another 9 cents. And then there is the idiotic idea of having to pay tolls for miles driven.
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Face it, there won't be "lower prices". Many people had thought that "Big Oil" was the underlying cause of high gas prices. Seems like the government has their hand in it too..... You get what you voted for.
I can see the reports six months from now: gas prices are at a new all time high!
call me insane crazy but gas hasn't been less then 200 a gal since1993.or not there after
 @maggie112 In 1998 I remember paying 92 cents / gallon
 @maggie112 Your grammar skills are severely atrocious. In the late 1990's, I remember paying $1.15 per gallon in my area of Pierce County.
The new normal under the Obama economy.Â
@Tacobender50 Do you remember how much the gas cost when bush was in office?
 @FZR  @Tacobender50 I remember it being around a dollar before Bush and skyrocketing over $3 before he left office.
 @DarkRenegade  @FZR  @Tacobender50 Reagen?
I would LOVE to see some 'average' prices here.
6 years ago it was a buck a gallon less.
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Weird....
Sounds like the calm before the storm... again.
Wow, I may be able to afford a family vacation road trip now.
Keep going lower : )
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Now everyone is going to go out and buy a big truck or SUV.
 @mstipton I want a Tesla Model X when they come out.Â
Not me
I would like to than President Bush for doing what he could at this point to lower prices at the pump.
Thank You, George.
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@the unvarnished truth @Sydthepiper Nice shot, stay classy my friend...
 @virtual anomaly    @Sydthepiper for real. this idiot needs to be more sensitive to a situation that devastated a community!
 @Sydthepiper I think I just had a little vomit in my mouth after reading that comment!
 @Sydthepiper And don't forget torture. Thanks George.Â