MD Gas Prices: What It Costs For Labor Day Weekend 2022

MARYLAND — As thousands of Marylanders prepare to hit the roads ahead of the Labor Day weekend, gas prices locally continue to decline even though that's not the same story across the country.

While Maryland and nearby states like New Jersey and Rhode Island have experienced a downward trend at the pump over the last month, prices have started to climb in places like Florida and Georgia.

The state average price for regular unleaded in Maryland jumped 7 cents per gallon, reaching $3.70 on Friday, down from $3.82 a week ago.

The 10-week streak began in mid-June, when the state average fell from its all-time high of $5.20 per gallon on June 14, AAA said.

"As the busy summer travel season comes to an end with the upcoming Labor Day holiday weekend, AAA expects travel volume could reach pre-pandemic levels, mirroring the trends seen for the Memorial Day and Independence Day weekends earlier this summer,” said Ragina C. Ali, manager of public and government affairs for AAA in Maryland and Washington, D.C.

AAA anticipates the peak travel time will be Friday afternoon, when commuters mix with travelers, especially those heading to the shore and beaches. Traffic is also expected to be heavy late Monday afternoon as road trippers return from the long weekend. To avoid Labor Day weekend traffic, AAA encourages drivers who have flexibility in their schedules to travel at off-peak hours.

The U.S. price of oil rose 5 percent over the past three weeks, AAA said. Gas prices may not go much higher, but that could change if a hurricane threatens refineries along the Texas, Louisiana or Mississippi coastlines.

Just in time for millions of Americans to hit the road for Labor Day, the average price of gasoline nationwide is $3.829 per gallon, the most common price is $3.499, the average of the lowest 10 percent is $3.16, while the median price in the U.S. is $3.65 a gallon, Patrick DeHaan, analyst for GasBuddy tweeted Thursday.

As of Thursday, here's what AAA said drivers are paying for gas around some parts of Maryland for regular unleaded:

• Annapolis: $3.644
• Anne Arundel: $3.634
• Baltimore City: $3.726
• Baltimore County: $3.663
• Bowie-St. Charles: $3.743
• Cumberland (MD only): $3.976
• Frederick: $3.671
• Hagerstown: $3.811
• Howard County: $3.749
• Montgomery County: $3.938
• Prince George's County: $3.774
• Salisbury: $3.659
• Washington (MD only): $3.856