Drivers are Enjoying a Brief Break in Prices

(Undated) – Motorists are seeing a bit of a break in the price at the pump. According to GasBuddy Head of Petroleum Analysis, Patrick De Haan, while the pause has certainly been nice, this is more like a “rain delay than a 7th-inning stretch.” De Haan says it’s likely only a matter of time before we see the rise re-engage and prices start to head higher. He says oil prices showed some signs of struggling last week after coming within arm’s reach of $80 per barrel before falling closer to $76, but all eyes are on refiners as utilization remained seasonally weak, around 80% of capacity, meaning less gasoline and diesel is being produced. That’s why it’s just a matter of time before prices collide with rising demand and start to accelerate again. The current national average for a gallon of regular unleaded is $3.28.