By Tricia Pursell
SUNBURY — If you’ve gone to the pump within the last few days, you may have noticed you are paying more per gallon of gasoline than you did just the week before.
And you paid more last week than you did the week before that.
In fact, the average price of gas has increased by 18 cents in just four weeks, according to the U.S. Energy Information Administration.
On Monday, the average retail price for a gallon of self-serve regular was $2.79. According to AAA, that’s 4 cents higher than last week. It is expected to breach the $3 per gallon mark by spring.
The steady rise in price is typical for this time of year. For the last 10 years, gas prices have increased an average of 13 percent between March 1 and April 30, a recent AAA press release stated. The rise is due in part to the anticipation of higher prices as refiners switch to summer blended fuels, and as motorists pack up their cars and head out of town to take advantage of the warmer weather.
However, the price is much higher than last year at this time — 88 cents more per gallon, the EIA reports.
Prices have been fluctuating between $2.79 and $2.85 at local Short Stop Marts. Last year, the range was $1.99 to $2.09, according to Bob Scullin, owner of Scullin Oil Company, based in Sunbury.
Crude oil is currently priced at $80 per barrel. Last year at the same time, it was significantly lower, at $45.
“If crude oil goes up, the cost of gasoline goes up,” Scullin said.
“The biggest factor in determining the trend in oil and retail gasoline prices has been and will continue to be the economy,” the AAA reports. “This year, with the economy still emerging from a deep recession, it remains unclear how strong the spring price jump will be.”
Harvey’s Food Mart in Middleburg and Millmont is currently selling gas at $2.89 per gallon.
“We’ve been steadily going up,” said Sharon Wright, office manager. “Just like everybody.”
People complain, she said, but there are a lot of expenses in addition to the fluctuating oil market, such as credit card fees when people pay at the pump, that make it necessary to keep the prices at a place where the business is still netting a profit.
Hardeep Singh, owner of Singh Fuel Stop, in Port Trevorton, has been able to keep a close enough watch on the stock market to keep prices as low as possible for his customers. The price is currently at the national average.
“I try to do all I can to give people help,” he said.
Wright is looking forward to the summer, when there should be more traffic into the region’s campgrounds.
George Shaffer, of AAA Susquehanna Valley in Sunbury, said it’s too early to know how gas prices will affect car trips. However, he predicted, “People will take their vacations because the gas expense is just one of many factors when considering a vacation, and they will continue to go even at $3 per gallon.”
It’s when the price hits $4 a gallon that the difference will really be seen, he said.
“People just adjust,” Scullin agreed. Many have invested in more fuel-efficient vehicles, for example. “They don’t have to change their habits. They can still do what they want; they just do it more economically,” he said.
“People still buy gas,” Wright added. “You got to do what you got to do.”
