(Undated) – Gas prices continue to tick higher but remain below the year-ago average. According to GasBuddy Head of Petroleum Analysis, Patrick De Haan, government data showed a rise in refinery utilization last week which may be good for drivers. He says much of the seasonal rise that happens this time of year is a culmination of refinery maintenance, the switch to summer gasoline, and rising demand. De Haan says if refineries continue to boost output it could mean earlier-than-expected relief. However, the changeover is still in process, so while we’ll likely see the continuation of upward pressure on prices, improvement in output could slow that pressure. The national average is hovering around $3.40 a gallon, five cents lower than this time last year.
