MD Gas Prices Spike Due To Winter Weather, Here's How Much

MARYLAND — Drivers in Maryland and around the country are spending more to fill up the tank as gasoline prices spike at the pump this week. Recent winter weather shutdowns at refineries along the Gulf Coast and in the Midwest have led to double-digit increases in prices for two-thirds of states, according to AAA.

"When close to 40 [percent] of U.S. crude production is offline because refineries are closed, there is going to be pain at the pump until operations resume," said Jeanette Casselano McGee, AAA spokesperson. "The good news is the nearly two dozen impacted refiners are expected to restart operations this week, if they haven't already. That means regular gasoline deliveries will resume and impacted stations will be re-fueled."

Gas prices are the most expensive many Maryland drivers have seen in over a year, said AAA Mid-Atlantic. "With the forced shutdown of refineries due to last week’s winter weather, gasoline stocks have tightened and gas prices have skyrocketed. On the week, 66 percent of state averages spiked by double digits."

The increases ranged from 10 to 22 cents per gallon, according to AAA. The national average for gas is $2.66 a gallon.

This past week, the largest price spikes reported were in Ohio by 22 cents, Arizona by 21 cents, Iowa by 21 cents, Minnesota y 18 cents, Georgia by 18 cents, Michigan by 17 cents, Wisconsin by 16 cents, Nebraska by 16 cents, Indiana by 16 cents and Maryland by 15 cents, AAA said.

The current average per gallon in Maryland closely mirrors the national price, averaging $2.68 per gallon for regular gas. That is 12 cents higher than average prices recorded a week ago in the state, and a 21-cent increase from a month ago, according to AAA data.

The average price for a gallon of regular gasoline on Feb. 24 in several Maryland cities is:

• Annapolis: $2.69
• Baltimore: $2.68
• Bowie: $2.69
• Maryland suburbs of Washington, D.C.: $2.70

The cheapest gas markets in the U.S. this week, according to AAA:

• Mississippi — $2.27
• Louisiana — $2.31
• Texas — $2.32
• Oklahoma — $2.36
• Utah — $2.38
• Missouri — $2.38
• Tennessee — $2.40
• South Carolina — $2.42

You can keep up with AAA's gas prices for Maryland here.

Patch Editor Kimberly Johnson contributed to this article.