BIRMINGHAM, Ala. (WBRC) – The average price for a gallon of gas in Alabama reached $4.10, according to AAA, leaving drivers facing sticker shock each time they fill up.
David Dempsey fills his tank multiple times a week for his restaurant business. He said what used to cost him $90 now costs $180 for diesel each time he fills up.
“Everybody is out here trying to make a living. We’re spending a fortune on gas right now. Hopefully everything gets better, and things get back to normal very, very quickly,” Dempsey said.
With the Strait of Hormuz now back under Iranian control, Alabamians are asking whether gas prices will continue to rise.(WBRC)
In central Alabama, gas prices are up more than 20 cents from last week.
Patrick De Haan, head financial analyst at Gas Buddy, said the recent price increases are tied to the situation in the Strait of Hormuz.
“What we’re seeing here over the last couple of days really has to do with what happened last week when President Trump alluded to the fact that the administration is preparing for a longer blockade on the Strait of Hormuz,” De Haan said.
But, De Haan said some relief could be coming soon.
“Oil prices have dropped for two straight days, and that could at least bring temporary relief heading into the weekend,” he said.
With the summer travel season starting this month, De Haan said it is hard to predict what drivers will pay until the Strait of Hormuz reopens.
“Usually this time of year, gas prices peak right around now, and they typically start to go down as we get into the summer as refineries raise output. If it’s a normal year, we’d see that. But it’s been anything but normal,” De Haan said.
De Haan said drivers can save at the pump by signing up for loyalty programs and shopping around at different stations.
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