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Gas Prices Break Records in All 50 States

Average price hits $3.57, up from $2.87 one year ago

By Joe Benton
ConsumerAffairs.com

April 25, 2008

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Gasoline prices broke records in all 50 states this week and regular self-serve is now selling for a national average price of $3.57, according to AAA.

Last year a gallon of regular sold for a national average of $2.877, 70 cents less than the new record price.

Gas prices have skyrocketed in April in part because refiners have been switching over from selling winter grade gasoline to the more expensive but less polluting gasoline the government requires for summer sales.

The relentless rise in retail gas prices has also followed oil prices as they climb. Crude prices have jumped about 80 percent in one year.

Some energy industry analysts are suggesting the national average for regular gasoline will hit $3.90 or even $4 during the summer driving season.

Diesel fuel is now well over the $4 mark averaging a back-breaking $4.233 across the country.

Mid-grade gasoline now sells for $3.798 and premium is moving closer to $4 at $3.935.

California has the highest statewide gasoline price in the country at $3.888 for regular. New Jersey has the lowest average price at $3.391. A gallon of regular can still be purchased for $3.17 in Union, New Jersey.

Here is a look at some gasoline prices from around the country in the ConsumerAffairs.Com Gas Price Round Up.

California: Gas price records are up throughout California for the third consecutive week, according to the Automobile Club of Southern California's Weekend Gas Watch.

The statewide average is now $3.888. Regular gasoline sells for $4.987 is San Francisco, 50 cents more than one year ago. Regular sells for $3.878 in Sacramento and $3.881 in Oakland.

The average price of self-serve regular gasoline in the Los Angeles-Long Beach area is $3.858, which is 5.2 cents more than last week, 24 cents higher than last month, and 54 cents above last year.

In San Diego, the price is $3.894, which is 6.2 cents higher than last week's price, 26 cents above last month, and 55 cents higher than last year.

On the Central Coast, the average price is $3.966, up 4.7 cents from last week, 22 cents above last month, and 53 cents more than last year.

In the Inland Empire, the average price is $3.878, 6.5 cents over last week, up 26 cents from last month, and 54 cents higher than last year.

"For more than one-third of 2008 so far, California has been setting new daily price records for gasoline," said Auto Club spokesperson Jeffrey Spring. "Gas conservation is a top concern for many motorists, so they should ensure their tires are properly inflated and that they adopt a smooth driving style to maximize their fuel economy."

Texas: Gasoline prices jumped by double-digits across Texas this week, continuing to set records throughout the state.

The average price for regular self-serve gasoline rose 13 cents from last week to $3.47 a gallon, about 70 cents above last year's average, according to AAA Texas.

"All Texas regions surveyed this week set new record highs," said AAA Texas spokeswoman Rose Rougeau.

Fort Worth tops the list, setting a new record at $3.49 a gallon, up 13 cents from last week. Dallas prices hit an average $3.48 a gallon, also up 13 cents.

The lowest average in the state was San Antonio at $3.41 a gallon, up 14 cents from a week ago.

Austin drivers were paying $3.44 a gallon, up 13 cents, while Houston averaged $3.46 a gallon, up 12.5 cents. Texarkana had the biggest leap, of 20.5 cents, to $3.49 a gallon.

Florida: Gas prices have hit a new record in the Sunshine State at $3.609, almost 70 cents more than just six months ago.

The cheapest gasoline is found in the Tampa/St. Petersburg area, where a gallon costs $3.544 per gallon. The highest average can be found in West Palm Beach, where a gallon costs $3.692.

Martha's Vineyard: This exclusive vacation island now has $4 per gallon of gas, according to a new England television station.

A survey of island gas stations found an average price of $4 per gallon for regular unleaded. AAA reported a record high average price of $3.38 per gallon for self-serve regular throughout New England.

Maryland: Gas prices in the state have climbed three cents in the last 24 hours and the average price for a gallon of regular gas is now $3.54, an all-time high according to AAA.

Prices jumped 3 cents overnight.

The new record is up 66 cents from a year ago.

In Baltimore, a gallon of regular gas is averaging $3.518. The current cost for a gallon of diesel gas in Baltimore is $4.30.

Drivers in Washington, D.C., are paying $3.626 for a gallon of regular gas.

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