Gas Prices Rise Above $3 At Christmas

BALTIMORE (WJZ ) -- It's a record, but not a good one. For the first time ever gas prices are above $3 a gallon at Christmas. Many drivers are wondering why gas prices are so high.

Andrea Fujii reports more Marylanders than last year are expected to get out of town this Christmas weekend, but they will also be paying more than they ever have at the pump this holiday.

Drivers' wallets will be less merry this weekend. For the first time gas prices are above $3 a gallon in Maryland during this Christmas season.

"It does pain me to see that and the fact that I am driving to Massachusetts later on today does not make it to good," said motorist Sue Sober.

The average price of gas in Maryland is $3.02. Last year at this time it was $2.56 a gallons, that's .46 cents less. Experts blame the high prices on high crude oil, trading at $90 a barrel, traders fears about world-wide economic instability in Europe and China.

"We're seeing other factors globally with other nations that are causing investors to rally and cause the rates to go higher," said AAA spokesperson Ragina Averella. 

There are no signs they could go down anytime soon.

"We would hope to see gas prices stabilize, but the reality is unfortunately, with crude oil prices continuing to raise that is probably unlikely," said Averella.

Despite high prices, many drivers say they are not letting the gas Grinch steal Christmas.

"It doesn't necessarily change anything I do. It just means I'll spend more on gas," said Sober.

"I'm glad they have the gas available. That's the most important thing," said one driver.

AAA expects the average Maryland house told to spend more than $300 on gas in December alone.

Hawaii has the highest gas prices at $3.63 for a gallon of regular gas.