Fuel Cost.

After reading the blow is this just not price gouching from the companies. This all in response to spring break?

Between 40 cents and 50 cents.

That's how much more spring breakers from the Tri-Cities area can expect to pay per gallon of gas, compared to last year, according to information provided by AAA East Tennessee.

Gasoline prices rose across Northeast Tennessee over the past week, according to AAA.

"Refineries are doing their annual changeover to summer-blend fuels, a process which lowers the amount of gasoline produced and raises prices," said AAA East Tennessee spokesman Don Lindsey. "This week last year, the changeover had pushed prices up between six and 10.5 cents over the previous week, breaking the two-dollar mark for the first time and setting new record high prices. If the usual pattern holds, prices should drop some as refineries complete the transition closer to summer."

Those comments were included in AAA's weekly Fuel Gauge Report for the region, issued by the organization each Wednesday.

School systems throughout Northeast Tennessee are on spring break next week.

Increases in prices similar to what was seen in the Tri-Cities occurred throughout the Southeast United States, including many of the most popular destinations for area residents, according to AAA.

According to AAA's Fuel Gauge Report, released early Wednesday:

"?Kingsport's average price rose 25 cents to $2.483 from last week's $2.233. The high rose 24 cents to $2.49, while the low rose 27 cents to $2.47.

"?In Johnson City, the average price rose 14.5 cents to $2.472 from last week's $2.327. The high rose 10 cents to $2.49, while the low rose 12 cents to $2.39.

"?Bristol's average price rose 18.2 cents to $2.476 from last week's $2.294. The high rose 20 cents to $2.49, while the low rose 17 cents to $2.45.

AAA's national Fuel Gauge Report, based on a daily survey of over 85,000 self-serve stations, listed Wednesday's national average price for a gallon of regular unleaded at $2.510.

That was up from $2.238 a month earlier.

One year ago Wednesday, the national average was $2.095.

The national average reached its highest peak at $3.057 on Sept. 5, according to AAA.

Also according to AAA:

"?The average price for a gallon of regular unleaded gas in the combined Kingsport-Bristol-Johnson City market was $2.481 early Wednesday. A month earlier, it was $2.141. A year earlier, it was $2.018.

The combined Kingsport-Bristol-Johnson City market average reached its peak Sept. 4 at $3.012.

"?Tennessee's statewide average early Wednesday was $2.470, compared to $2.163 a month earlier and $2.036 a year earlier.

"?Virginia's statewide average early Wednesday was $2.470, compared to $2.177 a month earlier and $2.021 a year earlier.

Lindsey said tools are available on the AAA East Tennessee Web site - www.aaaet.com - that can help families hit the road with some hint of what lies ahead on gas-price placards.

Once on that site, click first on the "News & Safety" link. Scroll down on the page until you find the "Gas Prices" section.

The first item there that Lindsey recommends is "Fuel Price Finder."

"Click on that and you can name towns in different states all across the nation and choose a radius of three miles, five miles or 10 miles around the town, and it will bring you back a list of stations along with map," Lindsey said. "Beside each station name are prices. You just have to make sure you watch the date and look for the most recent date. It will give you an idea of what many stations are doing."

A second tool on the AAA Web site allows you to search gas prices in 300 major markets across the United States.

"That just gives you the average, the high and the low for that market - not individual stations," Lindsey said. "Again, I advise caution, because the average may be built on prices that are two or three days old."

Carolina beaches, the Gulf Coast of Alabama and Florida, Daytona Beach, and the theme parks of Orlando continue to be favorite destinations for residents of the Tri-Cities, Lindsey said.

According to AAA:

"?Florida's statewide average early Wednesday was $2.589, compared to $2.324 a month earlier and $2.133 a year earlier.

"?Orlando's average early Wednesday was $2.547, compared to $2.289 a month earlier and $2.105 a year earlier.

"?South Carolina's statewide average early Wednesday was $2.412, compared to $2.090 a month earlier and $1.978 a year earlier.

"?The Myrtle Beach area's average early Wednesday was $2.446, compared to $2.136 a month earlier and $2.001 a year earlier.

AAA urges drivers to make sure their cars are in good shape, take public transit where possible, and combine trips to reduce gasoline use. Other suggestions are in AAA's Gas Watcher's Guide, free at AAA offices and on the Web at www.aaaet.com.

[imported_elp6n]

Ahh yes, the "summer blend" gasoline.

They dont think we'll hit our breaking point - we're too dependent on gasoline.

I know this is one woman who may be biking it to work this spring/summer/fall. I'm just fed up with it.

[steer]

There is an "investigation" into why gasoline is so high. I mean it's simple, oil companies wanna get rich and they are.

[imported_elp6n]

The American Public won't remember that the oil companies posted record profits last year. We'll tell them we're investigating and that'll pacify them.

[burton2019]

regardless of the price....we all will pay for it

[imported_elp6n]

I live within biking distance from my full time job. I may very well start biking it.

[burton2019]

even during the winter?

[imported_elp6n]

That would depend on the weather.

I'm not saying I can give up gas - no way. I AM a dependent American gas guzzler. I can cut the use of it though I think.

[PVVikeFan]

We are being gouged. Again.

[imported_neutral]

I know the companies have to meet regulations also.
My one question is why is it they always have to meet regulations at the right time of driving season.
Search it back and see. Prices go up as does the number of motorist expected on the road. Seems clear it's price gouching.
Yet no one wants to push the issue.
Esp. those in charge in Congress to our Reps. Maybe i am wrong but i heard a report that ethanol production could cut our reliance on oil that China is using like tissue paper.
Yet our production of ethanol production plants are 5 years away from reaching maximum production. No one finds that odd. Yet we are oil dependent, yet we do not pursue a less costly source of fuel.