AAA: Gas Prices On the Rise Since Early July
Your trip to the beach this month may cost more than earlier this summer, as fuel prices creep up across Northern Virginia.
The current average nationwide is $3.56 for a regular gallon of gas, according to Oil Price Information Service and AAA.
In the Fredericksburg area, prices are in line with the nationwide average at $3.35. The D.C-area average was $3.50 a week ago and $3.38 a month ago, according to AAA.
Travelers headed to popular beaches in Virginia may find gas prices lower at their destination than here in the D.C. metro area. The average in Ocean City, MD is $3.51 for a regular gallon of unleaded. In Virginia Beach and on North Carolina’s Outer Banks, the average is $3.38.
“Gas prices have risen steadily since early July and might not retreat until after August,” said Martha M. Meade, Manager of Public and Government Affairs for AAA Mid-Atlantic in this weekend’s outlook release. “That said, crude oil has returned to trade in the $80 per barrel range (down from the $90 per barrel range last week), which means prices at the pump should stay where they are for at least the time being.”
Travelers with a smartphone can download the ‘VDOT 511’ app for real-time congestion maps and a ‘Reach the Beach’ feature, which offers time estimates to different routes to popular beach destinations.
Summer Travel Dangers
Travelers should be aware of the hazards of summer travel. The late summer heat can do a number on your car, and earlier this summer AAA released a variety of tips to help avoid car failure in the sweltering heat. Among those tips, it is advised drivers do not run a car’s AC continuously in stop-and-go-traffic. It should be given period breaks and space should be left between a driver and the car in front to ensure engines aren’t absorbing hot exhaust.
The time period between the first week of August and the end of Labor Day weekend are among those with the highest fatality rates on highways, according to AAA Mid-Atlantic. Seven of the 15 deadliest days are in these weeks, based on data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, when “both the number of vehicle miles traveled (VMT) and the fatality rate per 100 million VMT reach their highest levels of the year.”
don dunkin
7:55 pm on Friday, August 3, 2012
$1,032 is what Obama costs YOU per year
Gas prices have gone up and is the same as a TAX
Now 3.56
Then 1.84
Increase 1.72
Average miles per year 15,000
Average miles per gallon 25
Gas used per year 600
600 times 1.72 equals $1,032
Elizabeth Talbot
8:53 am on Saturday, August 4, 2012
Like Obama has this machine on his desk, and he presses a button, and wow, gas prices go up! Obviously, this above poster never heard of supply and demand, and that gas prices might go up in summer because of increased demand as people go on trips. In fact, more people going on trips might be a good thing because people actually have money to go on vacation! I also remember gas prices wildly fluctuating during the Bush administration, sometimes breaking the $4.00 mark, and no one was calling it a tax.
don dunkin
9:42 am on Saturday, August 4, 2012
Gas prices go down in a Recession, except under Obama. His goal is European gas pricing which is $10 per gallon. Remember Secretary Chu. I do. DUH on Keystone pipeline. Yes this has adversely affected the growth rate of the US. We need a President who is not an extremist.
don dunkin
11:24 am on Saturday, August 4, 2012
Por Obama nos cuesta $1,032 más por año.
Los precios del gas han subido y es lo mismo que un IMPUESTO
Actual 3,56
En aquel entonces 1,84
Aumento 1,72
Promedio de millas por año 15,000
Promedio de millas por galón 25
Gas utilizado por el año 600
600 más 1,69 es igual a
$1,032
Elizabeth Talbot
1:26 pm on Saturday, August 4, 2012
We need commentators who understand basics of civics and economics. No, rising gas prices are not "taxes." Only Congress and state legislative bodies can set taxes while the President collects them via IRS. Gas comes from oil, and the price of oil is determined by the commodity markets, which are influenced by a wide variety of factors, how much demand there is, how mad everyone is at the Iranians, etc I think its absurd to assert that Obama wants "$10.00 a gallon" gas. Its on par with the "death panels" in the health care bill. We can't discuss anything intelligently anymore.
don dunkin
2:05 pm on Saturday, August 4, 2012
Chu: DOE working to wean U.S. off oil
Read more: http://www.politico.com/news/stories/0212/73408.html#ixzz22bNjym00
don dunkin
2:06 pm on Saturday, August 4, 2012
Gingrich said energy secretary advocated raising gas prices
Politifact say "Mostly True
http://www.politifact.com/truth-o-meter/statements/2012/mar/14/newt-gingrich/gingrich-said-energy-secretary-advocated-raising-g/
don dunkin
2:07 pm on Saturday, August 4, 2012
Barack Obama Admits: Energy Prices Will Skyrocket Under Cap And Trade
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BqHL404zhcU&feature=related
don dunkin
2:08 pm on Saturday, August 4, 2012
Anti-Energy Energy Secretary Steven Chu Wants Gas At $10 Per Gallon…Of Course, He Doesn’t Own A Car.
http://www.theconservativereview.com/2012/03/08/anti-energy-energy-secretary-steven-chu-wants-gas-at-10-per-gallon-of-course-he-doesnt-own-a-car/
don dunkin
2:08 pm on Saturday, August 4, 2012
President Obama Wants Higher Energy Prices
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ma1gwZYw1cY
don dunkin
2:09 pm on Saturday, August 4, 2012
Seems to me me we need more educated democrats who blindly follow follow President Obama without knowing the facts
Elizabeth Talbot
3:18 pm on Saturday, August 4, 2012
The commentator probably thinks that he's aced this argument since he's quoted from Gingrich and a series of ads from partisan sources where Obama's comments have been heavily edited. Gingrich also wanted to set up a moon colony. But are higher prices in the cards, no matter who's in charge? My answer is yes, which might even be a good thing. Because it takes money to develop petroleum sources. If oil prices are too low, where will be the incentive for development? And then the commentator completely leaves out the growing demand for petroleum abroad, with the industrialization of China and India. More demand equals fewer supplies equals higher costs. And face it, would be it be so awful to wean ourselves from oil dependence, considering some of the countries in the world where petroleum is located. We not only pay at the pump but for the Navy to patrol the Straits of Hormuz.
don dunkin
12:33 am on Tuesday, September 18, 2012
$1,086 What Obama costs YOU per year.
Gas prices have gone up and is the same as a TAX
Now 3.65
Then 1.84
Increase 1.81
Average miles per year 15,000
Average miles per gallon 25
Gas used per year 600
600 times 1.81 equals $1,086
UPDATED to current prices