--- title: Gas Prices Are on the Rise Again. Here's Why description: Gas prices are cheaper than last year, but costs are up roughly 10% so far in 2024. Gas prices usually rise in spring and summer too. authors: - name: Pete Grieve role: Lead News Reporter url: https://money.com/author/pete-grieve/ bio: Pete Grieve is a personal finance reporter at Money who frequently writes about news and trends related to car buying, auto insurance and gas prices. education: University of Chicago, BA Political Science at_money_since: 2022 articles: 601 covers: - Personal Finance - Banking - Business - Career Advice - Credit - Credit Cards - Debt - Economy and Politics - Education - Health and Wellness - Housing - Identity Theft - Insurance - Investing - Lifestyle - Loans - Mortgages - Professional Services - Retirement - Shopping - Taxes social: - https://twitter.com/pete_grieve - https://linkedin.com/in/pete-grieve-b5aa02138 - https://www.facebook.com/petegrieve4 editors: - name: Brad Tuttle role: Senior Editor url: https://money.com/author/brad-tuttle/ bio: Brad Tuttle is a former senior editor at Money with over 10 years’ experience covering a vast number of personal finance topics, including careers, cars, travel, budgeting, investing, insurance, credit cards, consumer psychology, real estate, banking, and shopping and deals. education: Columbia University School of Journalism, MS at_money_since: 2014 articles: 366 covers: - Personal Finance - Banking - Business - Career Advice - Credit - Credit Cards - Economy and Politics - Education - Health and Wellness - Housing - Identity Theft - Insurance - Investing - Lifestyle - Loans - Mortgages - Pets - Professional Services - Retirement - Shopping - Taxes - Technology social: - https://twitter.com/bradrtuttle - https://linkedin.com/in/brad-tuttle-834b225 former_staff: true published: '2024-03-04T19:19:36.000Z' modified: '2024-03-04T19:19:36.000Z' section: Personal Finance tags: - News word_count: 421 canonical: https://money.com/why-gas-prices-on-rise-again/ type: NewsArticle source: structured-blocks --- > **Disclosure:** We research all brands listed and may earn a fee from our partners. Research and financial considerations may influence how brands are displayed. Not all brands are included. [Learn more](https://money.com/page/disclaimer/). ![Photo-collage of gas cans with a receipt forming an increasing graph line.](https://img.money.com/2024/03/News-Gas-Prices-Rise.jpg) Drivers have enjoyed lower gas prices this winter between $3 and $3.30 nationally, but costs are rising and experts say the trend will likely continue in the spring. A regular gallon of gas costs an average of $3.34, which is 10 cents more than a week ago and 22 cents more than last month, according to gas-price tracking site GasBuddy. Unfortunately for drivers, there are several reasons why the outlook calls for gas prices to keep climbing — and why it's wise to keep looking for [ways to save on gas](https://money.com/how-to-save-money-on-gas/). On Sunday, several OPEC+ countries [announced](https://www.opec.org/opec_web/en/press_room/7305.htm) they were extending oil production cuts, which puts upward pressure on oil and gas prices. Crude oil, which accounts for about 57% of what drivers pay for a gallon of gas, was trading at around $79 per a barrel on Monday, according to the West Texas Intermediate measure. The cost is up about 9% in the past month, and it's near the highest level since November. Seasonal trends play a factor in the rise and fall of gas prices too. ## An Extended Car Warranty lets you drive with confidence ### Get the best vehicle protection plan available by clicking on your state! [See Details](https://money.com/pr/i939a4cde9d1?ap_referrer=%2Fwhy-gas-prices-on-rise-again%2F) ## Why gas prices rise in the spring Historically, gas tends to be cheapest in the winter when driving activity is low and the country is using winter-grade gasoline. In the spring, demand for gas picks up as warmer weather arrives and prices are also impacted as refineries switch to the more expensive summer blend. “We’re entering spring break season, and historically, March and April bring higher gas prices,” AAA spokesperson Aixa Diaz said in a recent [report](https://gasprices.aaa.com/gas-prices-creep-ahead-of-potential-leap/). “With milder temperatures come more road trips, and this time of year tends to be a precursor to the summer driving season.” Patrick De Haan, head of petroleum analysis at GasBuddy, said in a [report](https://www.gasbuddy.com/go/national-average-jumps-double-digits-as-summer-blend-switch-begins) that refinery maintenance usually peaks in March, “impacting how much gasoline can be produced as we make the changeover to the summer blends. This always crimps supply, leading to further gas price increases.” On a more positive note, gas prices are lower than they were at this time in 2022 and 2023. In some states, the average is still below $3 per gallon, including Mississippi ($2.88), Colorado ($2.93) and Texas ($2.93), according to AAA. Citing increased U.S. refinery capacity, the [Energy Information Administration](https://www.eia.gov/todayinenergy/detail.php?id=61243) forecasts that gas prices will be lower overall in 2024, averaging $3.31 per gallon, compared to $3.52 last year. ![](https://s3.consumersadvocate.org/prd/image/image/28507/medium_82a472ac-9432-404d-b735-47a81fc9fc31.webp) Stop paying for costly car repairs and get an Extended Car Warranty! [See Details](https://money.com/pr/ub9375bc33e8?ap_referrer=%2Fwhy-gas-prices-on-rise-again%2F) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "BreadcrumbList", "@id": "https://money.com/why-gas-prices-on-rise-again/#breadcrumb", "itemListElement": [ { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 1, "name": "Home", "item": "https://money.com" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 2, "name": "Personal Finance", "item": "https://money.com/personal-finance/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 3, "name": "News", "item": "https://money.com/tag/news/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 4, "name": "Gas Prices Are on the Rise Again. 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