Why are gas prices up?
1. Rising oil prices worldwide
2. Loss of refinery capacity in February
3. Russia and Opec sticking together
4. Transition to summer fuel
5. Higher demand
Oil prices are rising due to demand and Russia and Opec sticking together to keep production low to drive prices up.
Back in February, U.S refinery capacity plummeted due to the freeze in Texas, dropping to around 70%. It's back up to around 82% now.
The seasonal transition to summer blend fuels always increases gas prices.
The pandemic cut usage of gasoline dramatically in 2020. That's why prices plummeted in 2020. Things are now returning to normal as people and goods start to move again.
The pictures of fuel prices from 2018 and 2019 would be nice to see, because they are about the same now as they were then.
That's about sums it up.
Please stop trying to inject politics into the forums. Thanks.