Local Gas Prices To Soar Over Weekend

PHILADELPHIA - A rather ominous warning about a quick rise in gasoline prices this weekend should have Philadelphia consumers concerned.

Link: Get Current Gas Prices At Local Stations

The Web site GasBuddy.com, which tracks retail gasoline prices across the nations, says the recent refinery in Washington state will lead to big gasoline prices jumps in certain parts of the country as the weekend approaches.

Patrick DeHaan, GasBuddy.com's Senior Petroleum Analyst, says "expect stations to increase prices as much as 5-20 cents per gallon by the conclusion of the weekend with some stations starting to raise prices immediately."

MyFoxPhilly.com spoke with DeHaan, who said the current forecast is for gasoline prices to rise between 5 cents and 8 cents per gallon in the greater Philadelphia region.

DeHaan said rising spot prices in Great Lakes area were between 30 and 45 cents per gallon today in Michigan, Indiana, Ohio, Kentucky.

Prices have also been reportedly rising fast in New England, Florida, and other areas of the East Coast.

The news comes as another industry group forecast earlier this week that gas prices will hit a record $4.25 a gallon in April

The Philadelphia (5-county) area gasoline average was at $3.66 on Monday, up a penny over the weekend., while the South Jersey gas average was at $3.49, up 4 cents in the past week.

Delaware gas average was at $3.58 on Monday.