Though DMV motorists aren’t hitting the road as much these days amid the ongoing coronavirus pandemic, gas prices in the region continue to shoot upward even as demand plummets.
The average price of a gallon of gas in D.C. jumped seven cents Tuesday from a week ago to $2.54, which is 16 cents higher than it was last month, according to automobile organization AAA.
In Maryland, the average price per gallon is $2.45, seven cents higher than last week and nine cents more than it was a month ago.
Virginians are currently paying $2.20 a gallon, up eight cents compared to a week ago and up 12 cents from a month ago.
The increases are in line with national trends, with the current U.S. average at $2.33 — the highest reported in 10 months, according to AAA.
“Gas prices are rising as supply tightens and crude oil gets more expensive. Decreasing demand is outweighed by these other factors at the moment,” said AAA spokesperson Jeanette Casselano McGee. “Last week, crude oil pushed to the highest price since before the pandemic. If crude prices remain high, Americans can expect to pay more at the pump this month.”