Staff Reports
Gas prices are once again taking center stage in America’s political theater, and once again, it seems the gasoline needle is leaning right back toward the alarming range. This week, the national average climbed to an unsettling $3.045 per gallon, courtesy of AAA. For those keeping score, that’s a rise of over two cents since Monday, when the pain was just a tad easier to bear at $3.024. While prices have been on a rollercoaster of fluctuations recently, the irony is that gas is still cheaper now than it was a month ago. So, at least it’s not an all-out train wreck—yet.
Despite the most recent spike, one can’t help but reflect on the gas pricing calamity that began back in June 2021 and seemed to stretch endlessly through the Biden presidency. While many American families were filling their tanks, the administration was busy filling the void with promises. After a peak that saw prices soar past $4 per gallon, the gas prices have finally begun to see a slight easing. Yet, as it stands, they remain stubbornly higher than they were during Trump’s administration, leaving many to wonder if the graph’s upward slope had any grounding in reality or just a feeble line drawn in the sand.
Gas prices: Another December day, another rise at the pumps https://t.co/XhC1JmbgCo via @dcexaminer pic.twitter.com/o4XlnlMuaf
— Fearless45 (@Fearless45Trump) December 19, 2024
Meanwhile, if one thinks it’s bad in their state, consider the wild geographical rollercoaster of gas prices throughout the nation. In the land of Aloha, gasoline prices are currently sitting at a staggering $4.549 per gallon, making wandering around with a half-empty tank a perilous adventure. On the flip side, Oklahomans are enjoying the bargain of the century with prices lingering around $2.583 per gallon—a clear reminder of how state policies significantly affect the everyday lives of Americans.
The often-overlooked D.C. area is, naturally, its own unique saga in this gas price drama, with locals digging deep into their wallets for an average price of $3.222 per gallon. Not surprisingly, prices have been as stable as Congress, hovering between $3.20 and $3.30 recently. With every inch gained at the pump, the D.C. area stays true to its reputation as a place where things cost more than they should—especially when gas is considered.
Delaware and Maryland are sipping from the slightly less painful cup of gas prices this week. Delaware saw a drop to $2.771, while Maryland enjoyed a minor decrease as well, settling at $2.916. Meanwhile, Virginia isn’t about to let its neighbors outshine it, with prices dipping to $2.883. These incremental decreases provide slight relief but serve as a reminder that even the so-called “good news” in gas pricing is still a burden for families trying to scrape by in an economy that has felt more like a high-speed train wreck than a leisurely drive in the country.
In this ongoing saga, the policy decisions from the White House—or lack thereof—continue to fuel the flames. As Americans gear up for future price hikes and hope for stability at the pump, one thing is for sure: the gas pricing saga is likely to remain a focal point in political discussions for some time.
