💲 Where is everyone going? Rise in demand for gas pushes prices higher

💲 New Jersey gas prices near 2022 levels

💲 Recession could drop prices later in the year


In the winter, demand for gasoline typically drops. That, in turn, usually leads to a drop is the cost per gallon.

However, with the mild Winter we have been seeing in New Jersey (so far) demand for fuel is actually rising, and that is pushing the price even higher.

AAA.com
AAA.com
loading...

Prices rose again over the weekend, pushing the average cost for a gallon of regular in New Jersey to $3.37.

The steady increase over the last few weeks has New Jersey driver paying 11-cents more than a week ago. Gas is 14-cents higher than a month ago, and nearing what we were paying at this time one-year ago.

Demand is the main driver

According to AAA, "A mild winter may have led to more drivers getting behind the wheel."

AAA.com
AAA.com
loading...

The Energy Information Administration reported a sharp rise in demand for gas last week and AAA analysts says that's the reason for the rise in prices.

Oil prices have actually been dropping due to lingering economic concerns that a recession could occur this year in the US and other countries.

If that does happen, overall demand for oil will drop, and gasoline prices should fall as a result.

Patrick De Haan from GasBuddy.com also notes while demand is rising, supplies of gasoline are tight. "Some refineries are down," De Haan says, "and refinery maintenance is around the corner." De Haan says China lifting pandemic restrictions is also increasing oil demand, which could impact global prices for gas.

Everyone is paying more

While New Jersey has seen steady increases over the last few weeks, in other states it has been worse.

attachment-biggest gas increases
loading...

Prices increased 34-cents in a week in Colorado, 23-cents a gallon in Georgia, and 20-cents a gallon in Ohio, New Mexico and Virginia.

The nationwide average cost for gasoline is $3.42. Just a month ago, most states, including New Jersey, were seeing some pump prices below $3 per gallon.

Eric Scott is the senior political director and anchor for New Jersey 101.5. You can reach him at eric.scott@townsquaremedia.com

Click here to contact an editor about feedback or a correction for this story.

LOOK: See how much gasoline cost the year you started driving

To find out more about how has the price of gas changed throughout the years, Stacker ran the numbers on the cost of a gallon of gasoline for each of the last 84 years. Using data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics (released in April 2020), we analyzed the average price for a gallon of unleaded regular gasoline from 1976 to 2020 along with the Consumer Price Index (CPI) for unleaded regular gasoline from 1937 to 1976, including the absolute and inflation-adjusted prices for each year.

Read on to explore the cost of gas over time and rediscover just how much a gallon was when you first started driving.

 

States with the most registered hunters

Stacker analyzed data from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service to determine which states have the most registered hunters. Read on to see how your state ranks on Stacker’s list.

Bands That Broke Up in 2022

Sadly, these bands either announced a breakup, went on indefinite hiatus or broke up entirely in 2022.

More From SoJO 104.9 FM