January 13th, 2018 by WCBC Radio

The Energy Information Administration (EIA) reported on Wednesday that despite gasoline demand increasing, gasoline inventories also increased.  Demand is expected to decrease in the coming weeks, and gas prices should follow; however, drivers should not get used to that trend, as maintenance season to prepare for summer-blend gasoline production kicks in for refineries beginning as early as next month.  Prices will typically begin to climb at that time, as refineries are taken offline, impacting supply.

Today’s national gas price average is $2.52, which is three cents more than last week, six cents up in the last month and 17 cents higher than this time last year.

The Maryland average is two cents higher than the national average at $2.54 per gallon, which is three cents higher than last week, 10 cents more than last month, and 16 cents higher than last year on this date.  Cumberland saw a slight two cent hike at the pumps

CURRENT AND PAST GAS PRICE AVERAGES 

Regular Unleaded Gasoline

	1/12/18	Week Ago		Month Ago	Year Ago
National	$2.52		$2.49	$2.46	$2.35
Maryland	$2.54		$2.51	$2.44	$2.38
Annapolis	$2.52		$2.49	$2.38	$2.36
Baltimore	$2.54		$2.50	$2.40	$2.38
Cumberland	$2.58		$2.56	$2.57	$2.46
Frederick	$2.53		$2.52	$2.46	$2.35
Hagerstown	$2.58		$2.58	$2.63	$2.39
Salisbury	$2.48		$2.45	$2.32	$2.35
Washington Suburbs (MD only)	$2.58		$2.56	$2.53	$2.41