Gas prices have been trending downward in the U.S. for the last several weeks, and that trend is expected to continue into 2013. That’s according to AAA East Central, which covers Pennsylvania, New York and New Jersey.
“It is expected to continue unless something happens that affects the supply or the demand then we do expect them to trend downward, this is usually the time of year when gas prices do fall,” said AAA Spokeswoman Bevi Powell.
The average price for a gallon of unleaded is around $3.43 – a month ago they were sitting around $3.65 per gallon. While prices are falling, Powell said they are at record highs for this time of year.
“Typically those prices fall right after the summer driving season,” she said, “that really didn’t happen this year because there were some refinery issues, some distribution and pipeline issues, super storm Sandy affected prices, we’re seeing them falling later in the year.”
The stretch right before Christmas to the New Year is one of the busiest travel times of the year, and though prices are higher this year than last, it’s not expected to lessen holiday travel.
“Typically travelers take their trips regardless of what the economy is doing or what gas prices are doing. It’s an 11-day holiday, so they use that time to visit relatives, if they have vacation time to burn, they may do that,” said Powell.
In fact, AAA said travel was up for Thanksgiving and Christmas, compared to a year ago.
