Gas prices begin usual springtime uptick

As the winter begins fading and the springtime begins coming down the road, gas prices are already ticking up ever so slightly. There have been plenty of issues in California with refinery outages that have caused higher prices there, but Texas has managed to stave off any true bumps.

As of the writing of this article, the national average is around $3.16 per gallon, but the Texas average is hanging around $2.75. That is nothing surprising, considering Texas is the center of refining and oil, our prices always manage to stay well below the national average. But some increases are still bound to come, regardless.

Patrick DeHaan of GasBuddy says this is all part of a cyclical process, and refinery maintenance helps drive some of it.

"While the maintenance is happening, they cannot produce as much fuel, and we are beginning the transition to summer gasoline in a few weeks, which is more expensive," he says.

Summer gasoline always tends to be more expensive, as it has less chances of evaporating quickly from the car. It is an entirely different blend, and producing that takes time, maintenance, and a bit of money.

DeHaan says the national average is anticipated to rise anywhere between 25 and 60 cents between now and mid-April, most of that rise coming along the West Coast. California, as mentioned, has already had their share of issues with refineries shutting down or undergoing maintenance, which has helped prices spike.

But in Texas, because of Houston's status as the refining mecca of the country, we are set up well.

"There is plenty of refining capacity, so when one refinery goes down, it is usually not too much of an issue," says DeHaan.

California already has the most expensive gasoline int he US due to other factors, like their green initiatives. It is expected to go even higher, where it already sits around $4.85 a gallon.

But our infrastructure here in Texas will keep us in good shape, even as the high demand of the summer travel season emerges.

"We will see some increases, but it should not be a record setting year...in fact, during the summer, I think Houston will spend a good amount of time with averages at or below that three dollar per gallon mark," he says.