More drivers than ever could soon be paying $5 for a gallon of gasoline. And the national average, up sharply in recent weeks, is likely to top out at about $4.
Rising oil prices, lower refining capacity, Middle East tension and speculators are propelling prices. The spike in crude, now at nine-month highs, has driven regular gas to a record February high of $3.65 a gallon — up 42 cents over a year ago.
Motorists along both coasts are paying more: an average $4.20 in California and $3.91 a gallon in New York. Prices along both coasts and other regions could continue to climb far higher. Fallout from a recent fire that's shuttered a major Washington state refinery could push regional prices up to 20 cents a gallon this weekend. says Patrick DeHaan, an analyst with price tracker gasbuddy.com
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