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Gas prices jump at the start of spring

Delaware Public Media

First State drivers are paying more to fill up their gas tanks here at the start of spring.

Prices at the pump spiked last week.  AAA Mid-Atlantic reports the average cost of a gallon of regular statewide is now $2.56.

That’s up 13 cents from a week ago when it stood at $2.43.

And Delawaregasprices.com reports over a there’s only about a half dozen stations charging $2.44 or less.

AAA attributes the surge in price to strong demand for gas, rising crude oil prices and declining gasoline inventories.  It also says motorists can expect prices to increase by double digits before summer arrives.

Delaware still has the lowest prices in the region.  The Philadelphia area is averaging $2.78 per gallon, while in South Jersey the average price sits at $2.57.  The price in Maryland is at currently at  $2.64.

The average cost of gas a gallon of regular nationally currently sits at $2.61, up 7 cents from last week

Tom Byrne has been a fixture covering news in Delaware for three decades. He joined Delaware Public Media in 2010 as our first news director and has guided the news team ever since. When he's not covering the news, he can be found reading history or pursuing his love of all things athletic.