Analysts suggest that gas prices are likely to climb again this year based on a number of factors including an expected reduction in the value of the United States dollar.
Currently, Americans pay an average of $3.266 per gallon of regular unleaded, which is down from $3.40 last year, according to GasBuddy.com. But the fuel price tracking site isn't confident that the downward trend will continue.
By summer, GasBuddy.com expects gas to be around $3.60 to $3.73 per gallon after peaking at nearly $4 per gallon in April. The site predicts the highest prices in places like Los Angeles - as much as $4.65 per gallon - and some of the lowest in Houston - as much as $4.15 per gallon.
Currently, Salt Lake City's $2.781 per gallon is the nation's lowest, while Honolulu tops the charts at $3.958 per gallon.
GasBuddy.com cites a number of factors that the site says could affect fuel prices. Namely, the value of the U.S. dollar, which is inversely variable to the price of crude oil.
In addition, concern over fuel exports and the volatility of certain crude oil processing facilities along the Gulf Coast and the Eastern Seaboard has the site's analysts concerned.
"Hurricane season has brought significant harm to oil infrastructure in the last decade, and while hurricanes are not guaranteed to impact such facilities, such an event could interrupt notable infrastructure," senior petroleum analyst Gregg Laskoski said.
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