Pump ache grows throughout Maine heading into summer season journey season

PORTLAND (WGME) — Drivers throughout Maine are feeling the sting on the pump as gasoline costs proceed to climb heading into the summer season journey season.

Experts from GasBuddy say the present common value per gallon in Maine is $4.35, a determine that has risen sharply in latest months. Patrick DeHaan, the pinnacle of petroleum evaluation at GasBuddy, says the “average gas price in Maine is now up 43 cents from a month ago and now up a whopping $1.36 from where we were a year ago.”

DeHaan says global events are playing a major role in the increase, pointing to a direct link to the ongoing war in Iran. He says President Donald Trump told his cabinet and administration earlier this week “to prepare for an extended blockade of the Strait of Hormuz.”

“That set oil prices up nearly 8 percent, back above the $100 barrel mark, and that’s what’s pushing gas prices back up again, as the prospect that the strait is going to remain closed for the foreseeable future,” DeHaan said.

Seasonal factors are also contributing. DeHaan says changes like the switch to summer gasoline drive prices higher.

“Americans are spending now nearly $520 million more on gasoline every day compared to where they were just at the start of March.” DeHaan said.

At gas stations around Maine, drivers say the higher costs are already affecting household budgets.

“It’s getting up there. We pay more each day. It’s around like $4 now, and that’s a lot,” Maine resident Ian McKeen said.

“It’s definitely put pressure on my family, and I think a lot of families generally. It is making us question if we should go on a road trip this summer or should we stay local for our means of travel?” Maine resident Kyle Oswald said.

The rising prices are also prompting concerns about the potential impact on Maine tourism ahead of summer.

“I think it is going to hurt our local tourism quite a bit if I had to be honest, I know a pretty big proportion of our tourists are drivers from Canada,” Oswald said.

“I’m sure people will find other means of transportation, but we will definitely see less tourist here, which will be good for locals but also bad for businesses.” McKeen said.

DeHaan says limited transit options can make the increases hit harder in some rural Maine areas.

GasBuddy provides a list of the top 10 cheapest gas stations in Maine. It is regularly updated right here.