Maryland Gas Prices Surge Before Memorial Day 2018

BALTIMORE, MD — Travelers will pay the most at the pump Memorial Day since 2014, according to AAA Mid-Atlantic. Demand for gas, expensive crude oil and a shrinking global supply have contributed to the sharp increase during the busy holiday weekend. Drivers could potentially see prices continue rising a few cents more as the holiday comes and goes.

Maryland’s average price, along with the Baltimore and Frederick metro areas, is 2 cents away from the $3 per gallon mark, AAA said Friday, while the average cost for the Maryland suburbs of Washington has already exceeded that benchmark.

On Thursday, the DC area gas price average reached $3.058, which is 21 cents more than last month. It's also a striking difference from $2.499 last year. The average price in Virginia is a little better at $2.754.

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"AAA forecasts nearly 37 million travelers will hit the road for the holiday weekend. Compared to an average of the last three Memorial Day weekends, pump prices are nearly 50 cents more expensive and climbing," said Jeanette Casselano, an AAA spokesperson. "Trends are indicating that this summer is likely to bring the national average to at least $3/gallon."

Here are the average prices for regular unleaded gas across Maryland:

• Annapolis: $2.96
• Baltimore: $2.98
• Cumberland: $2.93
• Frederick: $2.98
• Hagerstown: $2.87
• Salisbury: $2.90
• Washington Suburbs (MD only): $3.03

“Maryland’s gas price average is 60 cents more expensive than last year and the highest for Memorial Day since 2014,” said Ragina Cooper Averella, manager of public and government affairs for AAA Mid-Atlantic. “However, residents will not be deterred by higher prices at the pumps, as AAA forecasts 793,000 Marylanders will hit the road for the Memorial Day weekend, the highest travel volume since 2001 when the auto club began tracking holiday travel.”

The Week Ahead

Higher gas prices will make for a more expensive summer driving season, which begins with Memorial Day weekend, for most travelers. Trends indicate that this summer is likely to bring the national average to at least $3.00 per gallon with Maryland anticipated to reach that benchmark in the days ahead. The average family could pay $1,318 for gasoline, $225 to $250 more than 2017.
AAA has a variety of resources to help motorists save on fuel:

• Fuel Price Finder (AAA.com/fuelfinder) locates the lowest fuel price in your area.
• AAA Gas Cost Calculator (GasPrices.AAA.com/AAA-gas-cost-calculator/) helps budget travel expenses.
• TripTik Mobile (AAA.com/mobile) plots fuel prices along your travel route.

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