Gas prices rising after attack on Syria

Gas prices in Chattanooga have risen to the highest level in six months and are likely to increase more this week in the wake of last week’s attacks on Syria.

GasBuddy.com, which surveys 170 gas outlets in Chattanooga, said Monday that local prices at the pump rose 3.5 cents per gallon to $2.45 per gallon for regular gasoline. That’s the highest since early last fall when prices briefly spiked up to an average of $2.54 per gallon after Hurricane Irma temporarily cut off some gas pipelines.

The AAA Auto Club said pump prices will get even more expensive this week and will likely rise to the highest level in more than two years, due to rising geopolitical tensions in the Middle East. The conflict in Syria sent crude prices to their highest point in more than three years, and as a result, motorists are about to feel the pain at the pump.

“Motorists should expect a 15 cent increase at the pump in the short term,” said Mark Jenkins, spokesman, AAA - The Auto Club Group. “However, prices could rise even more, depending on how the crude market responds to the latest news of a U.S. missile strike over the weekend.”

Chattanooga gas prices still remain 25 cents per gallon below the U.S. average of $2.71 per gallon, according to Gasbuddy.com.

“The seasonal surge at gas pumps is in full motion, causing the most dreaded time of year for fearful motorists, especially of what may still be coming,” said Patrick DeHaan, head of petroleum analysis for GasBuddy.