BALTIMORE, MD—The national average gas price in the U.S. has increased by 5.6 cents per gallon in the past week, reaching $3.03 per gallon, according to GasBuddy. This rise is attributed to a surge in oil prices, which have reached nearly $74 per barrel, marking the highest level in several months.

Patrick De Haan, head of petroleum analysis at GasBuddy, explained that the surge in oil prices is primarily driven by optimism surrounding China’s recent economic policy shifts, which are anticipated to boost oil demand. This has led to one of the most significant weekly increases in U.S. gas prices in recent months.

Despite the national average briefly dipping below $3 per gallon in recent weeks, De Haan suggests that those days are likely over. GasBuddy’s 2025 Fuel Outlook, released last week, predicts continued slight increases at the pump in the coming weeks, leading up to a larger seasonal spike beginning in mid-to-late February and lasting through spring.

The national average gas price rose 3.0 cents from the previous month and is 2.9 cents per gallon lower than last year’s.

The increase in gas prices is accompanied by a rise in diesel prices, which have climbed by 1.5 cents in the last week, reaching $3.488 per gallon.

See previous gas price reports here

In and around the Nottingham area, the cheapest gas this week could be found at these locations…

• Bowleys Quarters
• Carney
• Edgewood
• Essex
• Fallston
• Joppa
• Kingsville
• Middle River
• Nottingham
• Overlea/Fullerton
• Parkville
• Perry Hall
• Rosedale
• Rossville
• Towson
• White Marsh

This article was written with the assistance of AI and reviewed by a human editor.

Photo via Pixabay