Expect to pay about 23 cents more per gallon of gasoline this summer than last summer, according to U.S. Energy Information Administration projections released today.
In its Short-Term Energy and Summer Fuels Outlook, the EIA is predicting average gas prices of $2.46 a gallon this April through September, compared to the 2016 average of $2.23 a gallon during those same months.
"The higher forecast gasoline price is primarily the result of higher forecast crude oil prices," the EIA said, although adding that's still nearly 70 cents less per gallon than the previous five-year average.
The average price for all of 2017 is expected to be $2.39 a gallon for regular gasoline, which - if it happens - means the average U.S. household will spent about $200 more on motor fuel this year than in 2016.
Chances are that variance will result in little or no change in driving habits, so don't expect an appreciable change in air quality here in the Great Lakes region or other parts of the country.
Go here for a few more cool nuggets, such as why gasoline prices typically increase each spring.
Demand is much greater, with the threat of snow dissipating and people more than eager to shed their cabin fever, of course.
But prices also rise because summer-grade gasoline is more expensive to produce.
In general, the most expensive gas prices will continue to be on the West Coast and most affordable along the Gulf Coast, with prices in the Great Lakes region and other parts of the country in-between.
They tend to be higher on the West Coast because California requires a blend of gasoline that is relatively costly to produce. Some states out there also have relatively high state gasoline tax rates.
Gasoline prices in Gulf Coast states are often among the lowest, because of relatively low state tax rates and abundant gasoline supplies there.
The Gulf Coast is home to about half of U.S. petroleum refining capacity.
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