(KNSI) — While we may not have seen the first robin of spring, another sign of the season changing is rising gas prices as refineries start to process their more expensive summer blends.
According to AAA, the national average for a gallon of regular unleaded is $2.98, up five cents from a week ago but ten cents from a month ago. The summer blend gasoline has additives to help reduce evaporation in the warmer months, and those are pricier than winter blend fuel, which contains cheaper additives such as butane to help engines start in extremely cold temperatures.
Another reason for the squeeze is increased demand for the upcoming spring break season, when many take road trips, and volatility in the oil-rich Middle East after Israeli and U.S. airstrikes on the region over the weekend.
There was a minor decrease in overall stockpiles, which means refineries didn’t entirely replace what was consumed, slightly tightening supply. That can cause a slight upward trend in prices.
The average price for a gallon of regular unleaded in Minnesota went up 13 cents from last week to $2.83. In St. Cloud, the average is around $2.76, up 16 cents.
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