Crude oil prices, demand drive pump prices upward.
After four weeks of gas price dips, pump prices are again climbing ahead of Memorial Day weekend.
AAA reported that the national average price of gas, on May 22, was $2.36 per gallon – two cents more than a week ago, six cents less than a month ago, but eight cents more than a year ago.
Rising demand and crude oil prices are likely to blame for the increase—at least 36 states saw price increase since last week.
Memorial Day weekend is a big driving weekend, and AAA forecasted that more than 34 million Americans are planning to take a road trip this Memorial Day weekend, 800,000 more drivers than last year. More drivers on the road could push pump prices higher in the summer, mirroring the higher national averages seen in April.