Here’s Why Gas Prices Are Higher Than Ever

I nearly choked when I went to the gas station today, and the price of gas had gone up 50¢ in one week.

I mean, COME ON!! Give us a break already!!

According to AAA, the national average for a gallon of gas is $3.82, with those on the west coast tipping the scale at nearly $5 a gallon.

At this point, we are having to dip into our savings accounts just to afford the drive to work every day.

It sucks.

Why has the price of gas skyrocketed in the last 2 weeks?

Traditionally, gas prices go up during the summer months, but this year is particularly bad.

You can blame the record-breaking, scorching heat for the hike in gas prices.

You’ve got a lot of refineries that are coughing and wheezing. They’re not really geared to run with 10 or 15 days with 100-degree temperatures in a row.

Tom Kloza, global head of energy analysis at OPIS

You can imagine, when refineries are not running at full capacity, not as much gasoline is produced.

It’s simple supply and demand, people. Less available gas means that prices go through the roof.

The bad news is that we are in the thick of it right now. It’s going to stay hot, hot, hot for the next couple months.

This means that the price of gasoline is going to continue to rise, and, according to Fox 4, the price of gas could go up another 15¢ or so in the next couple weeks.

Seriously, I can’t afford to drive to work to make the money I need to fill up my gas tank!!

It’s a vicious cycle at its finest.

Will gas prices get better anytime soon?

There is some good news on the horizon.

Gas prices traditionally fall during the fall months, and those fall months couldn’t get here soon enough!

As we get into fall, things should cool back off. The major wild card is Saudi Arabia and Russia because there is word that Saudi Arabia may extend its cut of oil production into September.

Patrick DeHaan, Gas Buddy spokesman

Hang in there. Hopefully we just have to get past this record-breaking, hot summer, and then things will get better.

I’m curious. How much is the price of gas where you live?