Gas Prices Rise for First Time in Eight Weeks

The average price for regular unleaded gasoline increased 6 cents over the past week nationally - the first jump in about two months - in response to higher crude oil prices, according to the latest AAA survey.

The national average for regular grade gasoline rose to $3.63 Sunday, up from $3.57 a week ago. In Maryland, the average jumped to $3.62, up 6 cents from a week ago and 96 cents from the same date in 2010.

 “After eight weeks of declines, prices at the pump began to creep up slightly this week as a result of higher crude oil prices, which were in response to improved economic data,” said Ragina C. Averella, AAA Mid-Atlantic spokeswoman, in a statement. 

“However analysts caution this is not the return of $4 a gallon gasoline, rather they expect nationwide gas prices to range between $3.25 and $3.75 through July and August.”

According to AAA, the biggest short-term concern for the crude oil market is the hurricane season. This comes following the recent news that

Here are the cheapest places to buy gas in the Essex-Middle River area, according to MarylandGasPrices.com.