According to AAA, today’s national average price for a gallon of regular gasoline is $3.19, which is 20 cents more than Monday and 31 cents higher than a month ago. Some local areas have seen prices spike even higher.
The increase comes amid an increase in demand for gasoline and the ongoing conflict between the U.S. and Iran. On Tuesday, West Texas Intermediate crude oil ended the day at $74.56 per barrel after briefly hitting $77.33, a high that hasn’t been seen since in more than a year.
“Consumers should prepare in case gasoline prices rise even further,” said Jim Garrity, director of public affairs, AAA East Central. “At this point, all eyes are on crude oil, which accounts for 50 to 60 cents of each dollar you spend at the pump. Also, demand is increasing and refineries are beginning their annual transition to summer blend gasoline, which are both trends that typically push prices higher in the spring.”
AAA East Central reminds motorists about ways to improve fuel efficiency. Adopting responsible driving practices can contribute to significant savings at the pump and ease the financial strain of higher gas prices.
“One of the simplest ways to keep your fuel costs lower is to slow down, as speeding drastically decreases how efficiently your vehicle burns fuel,” Garrity continued.
To improve vehicle gas mileage, AAA recommends the following tips.
The Daily Drive
- Slow down and drive the speed limit. On the highway, aerodynamic drag causes fuel economy to drop off significantly as speeds increase above 50 mph.
- Reduce trips and lighten your load. Limit the amount of cargo in your vehicle when possible. Combine errands and possibly aim to get them all done on one day of the week. Also, consider using the more fuel-efficient vehicle in the household more often.
- Avoid “jackrabbit” starts and hard acceleration. These actions greatly increase fuel consumption. Accelerate smoothly with light to moderate throttle. This allows the automatic transmission to upshift into higher gears sooner, reducing engine rpm and saving fuel.
- Avoid extended idling to warm up the engine. Even in winter, idling, and warming up an engine are unnecessary and wastes fuel.
- Look ahead. When approaching a red light or stop sign, let off the gas early and allow the vehicle to coast down to a slower speed until it is time to brake.
- Use cruise control to help maintain a constant speed and save fuel. However, never use cruise control on wet roads because a loss of vehicle control could result.
- Take advantage of fuel savings programs. AAA members have access to savings when filling up at Shell gas stations. More information is available at AAA.com/Shell.
Ownership, Maintenance, and Repairs
- Keep tires properly inflated. Under inflated tires reduce fuel economy, but more importantly, tires low on air affect handling and braking, wear more rapidly and can overheat and blowout.
- Maintain the vehicle according to the manufacturer’s recommendations. Regular maintenance will ensure optimum fuel economy, performance and longevity.
- Make all necessary repairs. Take the vehicle to a trusted repair facility as soon as possible if the “Check Engine” light comes on.
Finding the Best Gas Prices
By downloading the Auto Club app, motorists can find the least expensive gasoline near them.
AAA East Central is a not-for-profit association with 69 local offices in Kentucky, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania and West Virginia serving 2.7 million members. Follow us on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook. AAA East Central provides services to its members including Automotive, Insurance, Discounts & Rewards, Financial, and Travel. Find out more about AAA Membership and current savings here.