Gas Prices To Climb Before Thanksgiving Travel Time

Gas At $4.89Gas prices have been remarkably stable through this past summer and into the fall. But it looks like that might be due to change.

According to experts, it's likely that pump prices could rise significantly—up to 15 cents per gallon—before the busy Thanksgiving travel weekend.

For those who plan on Interstate travel, that perhaps means shelling out a few extra bucks of gas money. And if the higher prices persists, it could put a noticeable dent in consumers' already very fragile family budgets.

The reason for rising prices this time doesn't have much to do with the spike in holiday weekend demand, and isn't related to refinery issues. This time it's the Federal Reserve's decision to try to stoke the U.S. economy by purchasing $600 billion in government bonds. According to CNN, citing Lundberg Survey publisher Trilby Lundberg, the Fed's move will depress the dollar in oil trades and raise pump prices on gasoline and diesel by up to 10-15 cents per gallon, with rises beginning this next week.

According to the U.S Energy Information Administration, the the national average for a gallon of regular gasoline is about $2.81, while diesel runs about $3.07. Prices on the West Coast remained highest, at about $3.08 for gasoline, while Gulf Coast states averaged just $2.64.

[CNN]

 


This story originally appeared at The Car Connection

Link Love From The Car Connection: Top Green Cars, Chrysler And The iPod, The Booth Professionals Of Shanghai

Booth professionals of the 2009 Shanghai Motor Show

Hover H7 by Great Wall

  • Blue goes green -- Kelley Blue Book has announced its top "green cars" for 2009. No points for guessing the #1 pick (could it be anything other than the 2010 Toyota Prius?), but you get props for knowing which American cars made the cut. Hint: the Ford Fusion Hybrid, the Ford Escape Hybrid, and the Chevrolet Silverado Hybrid. [KBB]
  • Like apples in a peapod -- Remember when we mentioned that the awkwardly named Rinspeed iChange could be controlled via your iPod? Yeah, well, Chrysler's taken that idea and run with it on the new Peapod EV. Does Steve Jobs get a cut of that? [Engadget]
  • Our personal kill switch -- LoJack has been great for catching criminals. Unfortunately for law-abiding types, LoJack-like technology is now being used to deaden the cars of folks who get behind on car payments: "The devices are usually controlled remotely by the dealer or lender and are linked to the vehicle's powertrain. They usually cut out the power several days after the payment is due. Before the deadline, the driver is treated to a concert of tones and flashing indicators signaling that the deadline is approaching. There are also warnings after the deadline has passed." To which we say, yeah, it's legal, but dude, why you gotta be like that? [CNN via BoingBoing]
  • Concept du jour -- In China this week, they're throwing down at the Shanghai Motor Show. Although we're not able to be there in person (TCC's Asian travel budget is but a shadow of its former self), reports make the event sound a bit more upbeat than others around the globe. Among the reveals: Great Wall's updated funky crossover, the H7. Check those crazy side-view mirrors and the glass panels in the doors. Impractical, but kinda snazzy, right? [WorldCarFans]
  • Shanghai showgirls -- Also from Shanghai: nine shots of friendly booth professionals. Not as friendly as some we could name, but still. [AutoExpress]


This story originally appeared at The Car Connection