By Martin Burch
Nationwide, gas prices were predicted to be lower this summer compared to the last three years, but that won't translate into savings at the pump this Memorial Day weekend, experts said.
*Click here for a full-screen view of the gas price map. If you don't see a map of our local area, click the magnifying glass in the upper right to enter your address.
"Motorists this year are facing rising gas prices heading into the Memorial Day holiday," said Michael Green, an AAA spokesman, adding that Memorial Day 2013 would probably be the most expensive since 2011.
In past years, prices have declined heading into early summer as oil refineries produced more gasoline to meet expected summer driving demand. This year, though, Midwest refineries haven't been able to produce as much gas, which has pushed prices to all-time highs.
"If you can gas up today to prepare for your Memorial Day driving, do so," said Chuck Bonner, the lead analyst for GasPredictor.com.
"Retail gas prices should have stabilized in the Midwest, but will continue rising on the East Coast, West Coast, and Gulf Coast," Bonner said.
The average price of a gallon of self-serve regular gasoline in the Inland Empire dropped a half-cent Wednesday to $4.035, the fifth consecutive decrease following a 14-day streak of increases.
The average price in Riverside and San Bernardino counties is nine- tenths of a cent less than one week ago and 29.9 cents lower than one year ago, but 9.9 cents more than a month ago, according to figures from the AAA and Oil Price Information Service.
The dropping pump prices are the result of lower wholesale prices, which stem from a belief that supplies are adequate, according to Marie Montgomery of the Automobile Club of Southern California.
While you can't control the price at the pump, you might be able to control how much gas your car burns. AAA offered this tips:
- Properly inflate your tires
- Avoid flooring the accelerator and slamming on the brakes
- Drive the speed limit
- Keep up-to-date on routine vehicle maintenance
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