Relief at the Pump Continues for Motorists

Motorists continue to receive at least some relief at the pump as the summer driving season approaches.

Prices in Maryland have dropped for three straight weeks after peaking at $4 a gallon last month. The average for a gallon of regular unleaded in Maryland on Sunday was $3.76, according to the latest AAA survey. This average represents a seven-cent drop from a week ago and a 22-cent decrease from a year ago, AAA reports.

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Nationally, the average price for a gallon of regular unleaded on Sunday was $3.78. This represents a four-cent drop from a week ago and a 20-cent decline from a year ago, according to the AAA survey.

AAA reports slowing U.S. economic growth, swelling U.S. crude inventories and a strengthening U.S. dollar are among the reasons for the recent price decrease at the pump.

AAA spokeswoman Regina Averella said in a news release that international factors and a spike in crude oil prices could lead prices to spike once the summer driving season begins next month, but does not believe prices will rise above $4 a gallon.

Here are some of the cheapest places to buy gas in the Essex-Middle River area, according to Patch’s gas price tracker and MarylandGasPrices.com:

Gas Station Address Price for Regular Unleaded 724 Eastern Blvd. $3.55 1601 Middleborough Road $3.55 Gulf 9526 Pulaski Highway $3.57 1010 Old Eastern Ave. $3.59 1600 Eastern Blvd. $3.59