Gas Prices Are Starting To Climb Again

BALTIMORE (WJZ) -- AAA says more drivers are hitting the road across Maryland, which means gas prices continue to climb.

Rick Ritter has what you need to know.

After stabilizing for a little bit, gas prices are on the rise again--but still well below this time last year.

At one gas station after the other, drivers are noticing the common theme across Maryland.

"I should've gotten it in the city," said driver Linda Hochberg.

"Prices going up," said Walter Massey, who lives in DC and commutes to Baltimore for work.

And they're bearing the same headache.

"It's painful in the pocket, that's for sure," said Massey.

According to AAA, the current gas price average in Maryland is $2.12, up 12 cents in just a month, but still down compared to this time last year. It's a climb officials attribute to a number of factors.

"Increased demand, refinery production and higher crude oil costs," said Christine Delise, AAA.

Hochberg says it's hard when you reflect on prices that were well below $2 a gallon just months ago.

"When you get used to prices getting so low, it's crazy," she said.

Prices are expected to continue to rise during the summer months, but when you look at the whole picture, there's a bit of good news.

"Motorists can expect to pay the lowest summertime prices in 12 years," Delise said.

It's expected to be much lower than last summer's peak price, which was $2.62 a gallon.

The national average price of gas has increased only a penny compared to last week, but a 14 cent rise compared to last month's average.