Ugly year predicted for motorists
Published 4:42 pm Monday, January 2, 2012
Average retail gasoline prices in Michigan have risen 10.2 cents per gallon in the past week, averaging $3.41 per gallon Sunday.
This compares with the national average that has increased 2.4 cents per gallon in the last week to $3.25 per gallon, according to gasoline price website MichiganGasPrices.com.
Prices Sunday were 29.7 cents per gallon higher than the same day one year ago and 12.8 cents per gallon higher than a month ago.
The national average decreased 4.1 cents per gallon during the past month and stands 20.9 cents per gallon higher than this day one year ago.
“Average gasoline prices are moving up as we enter the New Year — a trend that has held since 2008,” said Patrick DeHaan, a senior analyst with GasBuddy.com. “The biggest problem with that trend holding true this year is that we’re starting 2012 about 20 cents per gallon higher than 2011, breaking yet another high-price record and setting up an ugly year for motorists.”