Gasoline prices began 2013 with a national average of $3.29 per gallon, the highest ever to begin a year, according to AAA Mid-Altantic.
By last week, the national average for a gallon of gasoline was $3.31 while the average in the Scranton/Wilkes-Barre area was $3.55 a gallon, 8 cents higher a gallon than it was a year ago at that time.
Despite the pricier start to the year, AAA expects national gasoline prices in 2013 to average less than they did in 2012. Tom Kloza, chief oil analyst at Oil Price Information Service, also predicts gas prices will be lower this year than last year.
"Record high gas prices made 2012 the most expensive year yet for motorists," said Jana Tidwell, spokeswoman for AAA Mid-Atlantic. "Factors as volatile as major hurricanes, refinery outages and tension in the Middle East resulted in significant frustration for people filling up their cars. However, despite recent tensions surrounding 'fiscal cliff' negotiations, AAA believes it is unlikely any short-term gas price increases would match those seen this time last year."
At Turkey Hill in Pittston, Seth Goodman, 42, of Pittston, who drives at least 50 miles a day for his job, said the price of gas costs him about $10 a day.
"It's a reality," Mr. Goodman said. "I just watch how much I drive and try to think ahead of where my jobs might be and not waste trips."
Joseph Palmieri, 28, of Pittston, said he still thinks the price is high, but it's not at the rate yet where he is worried.
"It has come down recently and then went back up," he said. "I'm not too outraged by the price. Of course, I would like to see it lower. Who wouldn't? It's better than it was last year and that's a good thing."
According to AAA Mid-Atlantic, the highest average recorded for a gallon of gasoline in the Scranton/Wilkes-Barre area in 2012 was $3.97 a gallon in September. Nationally, the retail price of gasoline averaged just under $3.60 a gallon in 2012, Mr. Kloza said.
Even though 2012 saw the "biggest bottom" for NYMEX gasoline futures and U.S. gasoline street prices in history, Mr. Kloza said, "We believe the supply fundamentals for production, refining and consumption in the U.S. have shifted."
"Without a substantial interruption in any of the global hot spots that are sources for global crude, the evidence suggests that 2013 should see lower gasoline prices than both 2012 and 2011," he added.
If there is a surprise in 2013, Mr. Kloza said it may occur to the downside.
"The last calendar day with the national average price below $3 a gallon was Dec. 22, 2010 when the average clocked in at $2.99 a gallon," he said. "There is a good chance that this 25-month string will be broken in 2013."
Contact the writer: dallabaugh@citizensvoice.com