According to AAA, more people hit the road for the Fourth of July than Memorial Day. But with tensions building in Iraq, a possible increase in gas taxes, and hurricane season underway, it seems the only predictable thing about gas prices is their uncertainty.
Last week, a $.05 increase in the average price per gallon in Florida made trips to the pump even more painful. The rapidly climbing price was put to a stop over the weekend, but AAA spokesman Mark Jenkins said we can't be sure of much.
"Anything can happen between now and the Fourth of July weekend, especially when it comes to the conflict in Iraq," Jenkins said. "So, you know, prices are just anticipated to remain relatively volatile through the rest of the summer."
Though last week's increase was tough to swallow, Jenkins said we've seen worse--we're still $.10 to $.15 s below this year's peak price.
"The peak was actually April 18th, where gas prices were $3.76. Right now they're $3.61, so we've certainly got plenty of padding there," Jenkins said.
It looks like the best thing for drivers to do is buckle up for a summer of gas price ups and downs.
