U.S. Gasoline Prices Expected to Increase

Gasoline prices probably will jump an additional 15 cents this spring and remain well above $2 a gallon through the heavy driving season, forecasters say.

There’s also little relief in sight for crude oil prices, which are pushing gasoline costs higher. Crude prices probably will remain “near the high- to mid-$40” range per barrel well into 2006, the Energy Department’s Energy Information Administration said.

Regular gasoline averaged $2 a gallon last week, 26 cents higher than a year ago, and crude prices have been above $50 a barrel.