The Bergen Record

Summer surge in gas prices is coming

What you can expect at New Jersey pumps

- Lucas Frau NorthJerse­y.com USA TODAY NETWORK – NEW JERSEY

New Jersey saw gas prices soar this spring, and an expert at AAA Northeast predicts the costs will continue upward over the next month as summer approaches and Memorial Day travel lies ahead.

AAA Northeast Spokespers­on Mark Schieldrop expects gas prices to gradually become more expensive between now and the middle of June. Schieldrop said prices may not increase all that much, saying, “It may not be like we are pushing $4 a gallon.”

The analyst said a reason for optimism is that the demand for gas has been weak this year. Last year, demand in New Jersey was much higher.

Schieldrop also said oil inventory in the Northeast is in good shape, which can slow the usual summer price surge. The big buildup in crude oil in the United States, he said, may have an effect in leveling prices. He said the country’s export demand for oil not being high is another reason to believe why gas may not reach an extremely expensive level this summer.

“A lot of the upward price pressure that we normally see this time of year is not that strong, which is good news for motorists,” said Schieldrop.

When will gas prices go down again?

This past winter New Jersey saw gas prices reach pleasantly low rates. A month ago the statewide average was $3.302 per gallon, according to AAA Northeast. Currently, the average price for gas in New Jersey sits at $3.619.

Schieldrop said gas prices usually are at their lowest in the months of December and January. While prices usually do not fall that low in the summer, he said, “When it comes to oil and gas, anything is possible.”

If the demand for gas decreases, for example because of bad weather and therefore less travel, then prices could decrease over the next few months.

Schieldrop anticipate­s a busy summer travel season in New Jersey, so he thinks gas prices may not fall to where they were a few months ago until after the summer.

“Gas prices tend to shoot up like a rocket, but come back down like a feather so it would probably be a gradual slow slide back down to the low $3 a gallon range, starting maybe after the month of June,” he said.

Oil prices can impact a potential decrease in gas prices as they have a direct correlatio­n to each other, according to Schieldrop. After a gradual increase throughout the year, oil prices

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