Nationally, gas prices have soared nearly 13 cents a gallon in the last two weeks. But Freston McQueen is feeling the pain at a Manhattan pump.
Many analysts point out that crude oil prices have held steady for months.
They argue that this latest jump in gas prices has more to do with seasonally maintenance at refineries and strong demand. Gasoline demand has been strong despite the weakening economy. The U.S. consumer so far has been quite eager to drive his car. Analysts also say prices are up because anti-smog regulations have kicked in for the spring and summer. Those rules force expensive additives to be mixed with gasoline and the higher costs are then passed on to consumers at the pump.