After Climbing Toward $4, Gas Prices Down

After reaching nearly $4 per gallon early in April, Baltimore-area gas prices seem to be on the decline, leaving motorists to wonder whether or not prices have peaked for the year.

The average cost for a gallon of regular unleaded in the Baltimore area dropped to $3.95, a 4 cent decrease from a week ago. Prices are still up an average of 16 cents from the same date a year ago, according to the latest AAA survey.

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Nationally, AAA reports that the average cost for regular unleaded fuel was $3.91 a gallon, down 2 cents from a week ago and up 9 cents from the same time a year ago.

According to a AAA news release, after surging nearly 20 percent since the beginning of the year, the average cost of a gallon of regular unleaded has been down more days than it's been up in April, although prices are still within 21 cents of the all-time high of $4.11 per gallon set in June 2008.

The price decrease comes as the cost of crude oil closed at $102.83 a barrel on Friday. AAA reports that fears over the impending closure of the Sun Philadelphia refinery, which is set to close July 1, have been somewhat allieviated after bids were entered by four potential buyers.

Here are some of the cheapest gas prices in the Parkville-Overlea area according to Patch's gas price tracker and MarylandGasPrices.com:

Gas Station Address Price of Regular Unleaded 724 Eastern Blvd.
$3.79
1023 Eastern Blvd.
$3.85 Royal Farms
8235 Eastern Blvd.
$3.89 1600 Eastern Blvd.
$3.89 35 Back River Neck Road
$3.89

Have gas prices peaked for the season? Have increases in the cost of gas impacted you and your family? Tell us in the comments section below.