ATLANTA — Wondering why you're seeing a surge in gas prices? You're not alone. Metro Atlanta residents saw costs jump nearly $0.20 per gallon in just the past week, experts from GasBuddy said. The reason for the jump may surprise you.
Patrick De Haan with GasBuddy said the increase in price is due to the switch to a different blend of gasoline.
"We've made the transition over to that summer blend of gasoline, and with it, a pretty big jump," De Haan explained. He further noted that the average price in Atlanta has risen to around $3.38 per gallon, up from $3.19 a week ago.
The switch to summer blends, which are formulated to reduce air pollution during warmer months, entails more expensive components.
"When we make the transition to those more expensive components for the summer blend of gasoline, unfortunately, prices go up," De Haan explained.
Despite the surge, experts said the rise is only temporary and is typical for this time of year.
"So this is a temporary rise in prices. I'd be hopeful that prices would eventually hit their peak here in the next six to eight weeks or so," he said.
While the switch to summer blends has driven up the price, other factors are at play as well. External factors such as increased demand due to spring break travelers and ongoing global events, including rising oil prices and geopolitical tensions, have also contributed to the current price hike.
For travelers hitting the road during spring break, De Haan advised using apps like GasBuddy or Google to compare prices and find the best deals, especially when crossing state lines.
While the recent increase may be concerning for motorists, De Haan emphasized that it falls within the expected seasonal rise in gas prices. "Typically, between the winter low in the spring, high prices can rise anywhere from 35 to $0.85 a gallon," he noted.
As Atlantans brace for further price increases in the coming weeks, De Haan predicts relief may come by Memorial Day, marking the end of the upward trend in gas prices for the summer season.