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<p class="yf-1pe5jgt"><!-- HTML_TAG_START -->Gas prices are expected to rise in the coming weeks as the effects of refinery maintenance and outages, especially in California, impact the market ahead of the annual switch to pricier summer fuel blends.<!-- HTML_TAG_END --></p>
<p class="yf-1pe5jgt"><!-- HTML_TAG_START -->As of Wednesday, the national average price for gasoline was around $3.16 per gallon, which is an increase of $0.04 from last month and a decline of $0.11 compared to the same time last year, based on AAA data. <!-- HTML_TAG_END --></p>
<p class="yf-1pe5jgt"><!-- HTML_TAG_START -->“The national average has gradually increased, primarily due to significant gas price surges on the West Coast, where refinery maintenance and outages have created a chain reaction, raising prices in many localities,” stated Patrick De Haan, head of petroleum analysis at GasBuddy.<!-- HTML_TAG_END --></p>
<p class="yf-1pe5jgt"><!-- HTML_TAG_START -->De Haan predicts that the national average for gasoline may rise by $0.25 to $0.60 between now and mid-April, with the highest prices expected to remain on the West Coast.<!-- HTML_TAG_END --></p>
<p class="yf-1pe5jgt"><!-- HTML_TAG_START -->In addition, Tom Kloza, OPIS global head of energy analysis, anticipates "gasoline prices could rise by $0.20 to $0.33 per gallon before reaching a peak between Easter and Cinco de Mayo."<!-- HTML_TAG_END --></p>
<p class="yf-1pe5jgt"><!-- HTML_TAG_START -->Refineries are currently undergoing seasonal maintenance, which is straining supply. Furthermore, a fire at the Martinez refinery in Northern California on February 1 led to the shutdown of nearly all its units.<!-- HTML_TAG_END --></p>
<p class="yf-1pe5jgt"><!-- HTML_TAG_START --><em>Read more: </em><em>Top credit cards for gas in 2025</em><!-- HTML_TAG_END --></p>
<p class="yf-1pe5jgt"><!-- HTML_TAG_START -->These outages occur just before the switch to more costly summer fuel blends, with western states transitioning first.<!-- HTML_TAG_END --></p>
<p class="yf-1pe5jgt"><!-- HTML_TAG_START -->California continues to hold the title for the most expensive gasoline in the United States, driven by fees and taxes associated with green initiatives. The average gasoline price in the state surged by $0.41 over the past month to reach $4.85 per gallon, approximately $0.20 higher than last year.<!-- HTML_TAG_END --></p>
<p class="yf-1pe5jgt"><!-- HTML_TAG_START -->Washington state<strong><em> </em></strong>also experienced a price increase of around $0.22 in the last month, bringing the average to $4.15 per gallon.<!-- HTML_TAG_END --></p>
<p class="yf-1pe5jgt"><!-- HTML_TAG_START -->Meanwhile, Nevada noted a one-month rise of $0.23, positioning the state average at $3.89.<!-- HTML_TAG_END --></p>
<p class="yf-1pe5jgt"><!-- HTML_TAG_START -->Despite anticipated short-term increases at the pump, Kloza predicts retail gasoline prices are likely to decline in the latter half of the year.<!-- HTML_TAG_END --></p>
<p class="yf-1pe5jgt"><!-- HTML_TAG_START -->"By the latter third of 2025, U.S. gas price averages will likely be significantly under $3 per gallon, unless impacted by a hurricane on the U.S. Gulf Coast," Kloza stated.<!-- HTML_TAG_END --></p>
<p class="yf-1pe5jgt"><!-- HTML_TAG_START -->The Energy Information Administration forecasts a $0.11 decrease per gallon for gasoline this year, equating to a 3% drop, with an additional 6% reduction expected in 2026.<!-- HTML_TAG_END --></p>
<p class="yf-1pe5jgt"><!-- HTML_TAG_START -->"The anticipated lower U.S. gasoline prices are mainly due to declining crude oil prices and shrinking gasoline consumption in 2026, attributed to improved fuel economy across fleets," the EIA report from January noted.<!-- HTML_TAG_END --></p>
<p class="yf-1pe5jgt"><!-- HTML_TAG_START -->On Wednesday, oil futures rose by 1%, continuing gains from the previous session after representatives from OPEC and its allies, including Russia, suggested they might postpone their output increase for the fourth time.<!-- HTML_TAG_END --></p>
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<p class="yf-1pe5jgt"><!-- HTML_TAG_START -->West Texas Intermediate crude (CL=F) was trading at around $72.50 per barrel, while Brent futures (BZ=F) were over $76.<!-- HTML_TAG_END --></p>
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<div class="image-wrapper yf-g633g8" style="--aspect-ratio: 960 / 640; --img-max-width: 960px;"><img src="data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAIAAAAAAAP///ywAAAAAAQABAAACAUwAOw==" alt="The CHS oil refinery is silhouetted against the setting sun Saturday, Sept. 28, 2024, in McPherson, Kan. (AP Photo/Charlie Riedel)" loading="lazy" height="640" width="960" class="yf-g633g8 loader"></div></div>
<figcaption class="yf-8xybrv"><!-- HTML_TAG_START -->The CHS oil refinery stands silhouetted against the sunset on Saturday, Sept. 28, 2024, in McPherson, Kansas. (AP Photo/Charlie Riedel)<!-- HTML_TAG_END --> <span class="caption-separator yf-8xybrv" data-svelte-h="svelte-nxhdlu">·</span> <span>ASSOCIATED PRESS</span></figcaption>
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<p class="yf-1pe5jgt"><!-- HTML_TAG_START -->Traders are evaluating the potential effects of a peace agreement in Ukraine on the markets, particularly if Western sanctions against Russia are eventually lifted.<!-- HTML_TAG_END --></p>
<p class="yf-1pe5jgt"><!-- HTML_TAG_START -->"Should sanctions on Russia be relaxed, that could certainly drive oil prices lower—President Trump has also pledged to reduce energy costs; this brings significant implications," De Haan remarked to Yahoo Finance on Tuesday.<!-- HTML_TAG_END --></p>
<p class="yf-1pe5jgt"><!-- HTML_TAG_START -->Concerns over demand, amidst fears of a trade war induced by U.S. tariffs, have also contributed to price drops.<!-- HTML_TAG_END --></p>
<p class="yf-1pe5jgt"><!-- HTML_TAG_START -->Earlier this month, Goldman Sachs predicted that prices could decline in the medium term "due to persistent broad tariffs impacting global GDP and oil demand."<!-- HTML_TAG_END --></p>
<p class="yf-1pe5jgt"><!-- HTML_TAG_START --><em>Ines Ferre is a senior business reporter for Yahoo Finance. Follow her on X at </em><a rel="nofollow" data-i13n="cpos:14;pos:1" href="https://twitter.com/ines_ferre" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank" data-ylk="slk:@ines_ferre;cpos:14;pos:1;elm:context_link;itc:0;sec:content-canvas" class="link "><em>@ines_ferre</em></a><em>.</em><!-- HTML_TAG_END --></p>
<p class="yf-1pe5jgt"><!-- HTML_TAG_START --><strong>Click here for detailed analysis of the latest stock market news and events influencing stock prices</strong><!-- HTML_TAG_END --></p>
<p class="yf-1pe5jgt"><!-- HTML_TAG_START --><strong>Stay updated with the latest financial and business news from Yahoo Finance</strong><!-- HTML_TAG_END --></p>
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<script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>This revision maintains the HTML structure and tags while rephrasing the content to offer a fresh perspective.
