In what could be a harbinger of summer driving costs, the nation's average price of gasoline jumped 12 cents, or 6 percent, last week, after several weeks of relative stability, according to AAA Mid-Atlantic.
In Maryland, the average price for a gallon of unleaded was $2.19 as of Monday, up from $2.03 a week earlier - in part because crude oil was approaching $60 a barrel.
"Due in part to signs that the economic recession may be turning around, slightly higher gas prices may be a sign that the summer driving season will bring increased demand as motorists take to the roads," said Ragina C. Averella, manager of public and government affairs for AAA Mid-Atlantic. "Time will tell as Memorial Day weekend, the unofficial start of summer, approaches in two weeks."
Within Maryland, there is a wide disparity between the highest and lowest prices of gasoline. MarylandGasPrices.com listed the lowest price Monday as $2.07 at a 7-Eleven in Hagerstown. The highest reported price for regular was $2.49 reported at several stations in Montgomery County.
Even with the recent increases, fuel prices remain manageable compared with a year ago, when the price of a gallon of regular was $3.70 and rising.
For truckers and others who use diesel vehicles, the price relief has been even more drastic as the differential between gasoline and diesel has narrowed. AAA listed the statewide average price of a gas of diesel yesterday at just over $2.32 - 6 cents less than the average price of premium gas. A year ago, diesel was selling for $4.38 - 68 cents more than regular gas and 35 cents more than premium. On the Eastern Shore, diesel prices in the Salisbury area have fallen to $2.14, compared with $2.15 for regular gasoline, AAA reported.
AAA said oil prices have increased more than 10 percent during the past two weeks. It attributed the rise to signs that the global recession may be easing, signaling a rebound in oil consumption.
According to AAA, the price of crude oil has risen more than 70 percent since dropping to $33.55 a barrel in February.
It has been less than a year since oil prices neared a staggering $150 per barrel and retail gasoline hit a national average above $4. But energy prices crashed after July, and crude was trading at five-year lows just two months ago.
Baltimore Sun news services contributed to this article.
