Area gas prices inch close to $4 per gallon

We'll be paying a lot more at the pump this week. Gas prices around West Michigan jumped on Sunday - in some cases by about 30 cents. "We have a laundry list of things that are affecting prices now,' said Patrick DeHaan of gasbuddy.com. "Middle East, Libya, Egypt, Japan, we're approaching summer driving season, demand is rising, the economy is doing better, more people are hitting the road.'

Anonymous

Apr 4, 2011

Many stations in the area are now selling regular unleaded gas for $3.89 a gallon. It’s one of the highest prices since September 2008, when the price per gallon rose above $4. Back then, demand was close to outpacing supply. Now, while there is more supply out there, world events and the coming summer travel season are driving up the cost.

DeHaan said it looks like we will be paying $4 again this summer for a few weeks, but there should be some relief.

“Memorial Day is the first significant test if we have enough petroleum, enough gasoline — because a lot of people out there hit the road for Memorial Day,” he said. “So, as long as we make it through Memorial Day without some sort of refinery disruption or supply disruption, prices do typically stabilize — for at least several weeks.”

DeHaan said Michigan had one of the largest increases compared to other states. In fact, over the last eight weeks, gas prices here have gone up by about 70 cents.

— By WZZM-TV