With summer blends arrving, gasoline prices head higher

The cost of gasoline in Houston and across the country jumped as refiners begin blending pricier summer fuels.

The average cost of a gallon of regular unleaded in the Houston area increased more than 5 cents last week to $2.31, while the national average rose nearly cents to $2.54 a gallon, according to GasBud-

dy, which tracks fuel prices nationwide.

In Houston, gasoline costs nearly 24 cents more than it did at this time last year. Nationally, prices have increased by more than 25 cents during the same period.

Historically, fuel prices have ranged widely at this time of year as refiners complete seasonal maintenance and switch to more expensive lower-emissions fuel blends for the summer driving season.

Prices in recent weeks have fluctuated with the price of crude oil, but GasBuddy analysts expect a steady rise ahead as demand for gasoline increases as more Americans take to the road with the warmer weather.

Patrick DeHaan, head of petroleum analysis for GasBuddy, anticipates that gasoline this spring will cost 10 to 25 percent more than it did at this time last year, when oil prices were lower. Oil settled Monday in New York at $62.06 a barrel, down 28 cents.

“The national average now stands at its highest level in over a month,” DeHaan said, “and is likely to continue moving higher in the weeks ahead as demand continues to recover from the winter blues and the transition to summer gasoline kicks into high gear.”