Maryland Gas Prices Inch Up Before Holiday

BETHESDA, MD — If you filled up your gas tank today, you may have noticed the price for a gallon jumped about a nickel — higher in some locales — from a week ago ahead of the Easter holiday weekend.

Gas generally was going for $2.09 to $2.45 a gallon in the Bethesda area Thursday.

A week ago, gas in Maryland averaged $1.98, up from $1.70 a gallon a month ago. This time last year, drivers were paying $2.40 a gallon.

The Maryland state average is now at $2.03 a gallon for regular and $2.52 for premium, according to the AAA Daily Fuel Gauge Report. A year ago, we were paying $2.39 a gallon; five years ago the price topped $4 a gallon.

“Americans tend to travel more this time of year. In addition to celebrating Good Friday and Easter, many families also take road trips for spring break. As they hit the road, they will still pay the cheapest prices for gasoline for the spring holy days and holidays and for spring break since 2004,” said AAA Mid-Atlantic. “The recent uptick in the average retail price of gasoline can be attributed in part to another rite of spring: the seasonal switchover from winter-grade to summer grade gasoline at refineries across the land this springtime.”

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