Pump Prices Averaged Record High in 2012

WASHINGTON, D.C. -- Motorists can surely be happy that 2012 is gone.

The national average price of regular gasoline in 2012 was $3.60, the most expensive annual average on record, according to AAA. The previous record was $3.51, which was set in 2011.

"Record high gas prices have made [2012] the most expensive year yet for motorists," said Avery Ash, AAA spokesman. "Factors as volatile as major hurricanes, refinery outages and tension in the Middle East resulted in significant frustration for people filling up their cars."

As for gas prices on individual days, record high figures were achieved on 248 days in 2012, including 134 consecutive days. Therefore, motorists paid record high gas prices during 68 percent of the year, noted AAA.

April 5 and 6 saw the highest U.S. average, when motorists paid $3.94 per regular gallon. On Dec. 20, motorists paid $3.22 a gallon, which marked the lowest daily average for the year.

Hawaii took first place when it came to high gas prices. Average fuel prices in the 50th state reached $4.31 throughout 2012, followed by Alaska, California, New York and Connecticut respectively.

South Carolina offered the cheapest average annual gas price at $3.35, followed by Missouri, Mississippi, Tennessee and Oklahoma respectively.

As for 2013, AAA predicted gas prices will remain high, but are likely to be cheaper than 2012 due to increased domestic oil production and lower demand.

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