RICHMOND, Va. (WRIC) — As Memorial Day weekend approaches, the anticipation of increased travel is coinciding with rising gas prices, leaving many drivers feeling the pinch at the pump.
According to AAA data, the national average for fuel is currently $3.61 per gallon, a number that’s drawing attention from motorists across the country despite the price being just one cent above what it was this time last year.
The Biden administration’s announcement of its plan to release one million barrels of gas in an effort to alleviate the burden on drivers, particularly as Memorial Day travel plans are underway and July 4th is on the horizon.
Marlon Puckett Jr., a Virginia resident who visits the gas station three times a week, expressed frustration at the escalating costs, stating that a significant portion of his paycheck goes towards fuel expenses. He emphasized the urgency for change, echoing sentiments shared by many affected consumers.
“It’s ridiculous, I get paid weekly, and it shouldn’t be I put a third of my paycheck to gas,” Puckett said. “Something needs to change, it needs to change now.”
Patrick DeHaan, Gasbuddy’s head of petroleum analysis, shed light on the underlying factors contributing to the surge in gas prices. He cited the transition to summer gasoline, coupled with increased demand and refinery maintenance, as primary drivers behind the upward trend in prices since January.
While the Biden administration’s decision to release gas reserves may provide some relief, DeHaan cautioned that the impact on pump prices may be modest, with only a projected 10-15 cent difference.
“Due to the change over to summer gasoline and rising demand, coupled with refinery maintenance, gas prices started to go up in January, and that continued to mid-April,” DeHaan said. “Over the last couple weeks, prices have fallen slightly but over the last few days, prices did make a jump here.”
Looking ahead, DeHaan anticipates a potential downturn in gas prices after July, offering a glimmer of hope for Virginia motorists.