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As one of the busiest travel weeks of the year begins, drivers in the Capital Region are facing rising gas prices. According to AAA, the average cost for a gallon of regular gas has increased to $3.19, marking a one-cent rise over the past week and an 11-cent increase from a month ago. The state average stands at $3.21, while the national average is slightly lower at $3.18.
This uptick comes as over 72 million people are expected to travel in the coming days. Despite the current rise, AAA reported earlier in June that gas prices were lower than last year, with the national average for regular gas being 36 cents cheaper than in June 2024. This decrease was attributed to low crude oil prices and a market where oil supply is exceeding demand.
The recent increase in gas prices follows U.S. airstrikes over the weekend, which initially caused petroleum futures to spike. However, oil prices have since stabilized back to pre-conflict levels, according to AAA's fuel report.
As the holiday travel rush continues, drivers should be prepared for potential fluctuations in gas prices.