Gas Prices Back on the Rise

Following eight weeks of declines, the average price of regular unleaded gasoline rose for the second straight week, according to the latest AAA survey.

The national average for regular unleaded increased to $3.63 on Sunday, up 5 cents from a week ago and 90 cents from a year ago. In Maryland, the average price for regular unleaded jumped to $3.69, up 7 cents in the last week and $1.04 from a year ago, according to the survey. 

“As the summer driving season approaches the mid-way point, motorists find themselves digging a little deeper when filling up at the pump as gas prices rose for the second straight week,” said AAA Mid-Atlantic Ragina C. Averella in a statement. 

“Yet prices remain 30 cents below the early-May peak and analysts caution (barring any unforeseen financial crisis or natural disaster) we are not headed to $4 per gallon gas prices this summer, but rather prices should remain below $3.75 per gallon through July and August.”

According to a AAA news releast, the U.S. Energy Information Administration is forecasting demand growing less than previously forecast this year and in 2012 due to a more moderate economic recovery and higher fuel prices.  The EIA expects regular-grade gasoline prices will average $3.62 per gallon and $3.51 per gallon over the third and fourth quarters of 2011.

Here are the cheapest places to buy gas in the Dundalk-area, according toMarylandGasPrices.com: