Have a gas, now for $3

Prices at pump to be felt more in pocketbook

Nwill pay more at the pump this summer, as the statewide average price for gasoline on Monday soared to $3 per gallon for the first time in nearly three years.

Gasoline prices in Nevada jumped 8 cents over the past week as oil refineries across the country do some “spring maintenance” by switching from the winter blend of fuel to a costlier summertime mixture, said AAA Nevada spokesman Michael Blasky.

Growing demand, a stronger economy and higher oil prices are also driving up the cost of gasoline to $3 per gallon for the first time in Nevada since September

GASOLINE Average price by state Monday More people are driving for work, taking vacations and spending money on travel. That’s a good sign for the economy, but strong demand will drive up gasoline prices.

2015, Blasky said. Crude oil sold for roughly $65 per barrel on Monday, up from an average of $40 a barrel last summer.

Las Vegas Valley gas prices on Monday also hit an average of $3 per gallon, but those aren’t the highest in the Silver State. In Sparks, a gallon of unleaded gas cost $3.19 on average, followed by $3.13 in Reno, according to AAA.

Expect gas prices to soar like the summertime temperatures as vacationers hit the road between Memorial Day and Labor Day.

“It’s likely that Nevadans could be paying more than $3 at the pump for much of summer,” Blasky said in a prepared statement.

“More people are driving for work, taking vacations and spending money on travel,” he said. “That’s a good sign for the economy, but strong demand will drive up gasoline prices.”

The national average price for a gallon of gas was $2.66, an increase of 13 cents over the last month and a jump of 33 cents from a year ago, according to Gasbuddy.

Gas prices have increased by more than 15 cents per gallon over the past month in 17 states, said Patrick Dehaan, head of petroleum analysis for Gasbuddy.

“Think of the spring surge as a bit of a race. Some states will see their prices rally early and fast-paced, while others lag behind,” Dehaan said. “So no matter if prices near you surged or haven’t, we’re all going to eventually feel a similar rise amongst all states.”

Contact Art Marroquin at amarroquin@reviewjournal.com or 702-383-0336. Find @Amarroquin_ LV on Twitter.

Bizuayehu Tesfaye Las Vegas Review-journal @bizutesfaye Gas prices Monday at a Chevron station at Tropicana Avenue and Fort Apache Road reflect a statewide surge that has drivers paying more than $3 a gallon on average.