Gas prices in Kentucky are up nearly 30 cents a gallon since last month – to an average of 3-38 a gallon. That’s according to Lori Weaver Hawkins, the public affairs manager for Triple-A Bluegrass, who said the biggest factor is higher prices for crude oil, which makes up about 60 percent of gasoline. She said the primary driver is geo-political events in other parts of the world.
“We've had Ukraine's attack that has affected some of Russia's oil infrastructure. And then we've seen tensions increase again in the Middle East. So those factors all play into what we're seeing with those oil prices.”
Weaver Hawkins said the price of a barrel of crude oil has risen from about 70 dollars to nearly 90. She says demand is also up, as people begin to travel more. She said aside from keeping vehicles parked, there are steps motorists can take to lessen the pain.
“Keep your vehicle well maintained, you want the proper pressure in your tire. You know this time of year, we've seen some wildly fluctuating temperatures, and that causes the air force to expand and contract, well that air in your tires do the same thing.”
Another Triple-A tip: avoiding aggressive driving, like making sure your tire pressure is correct, not only saves fuel but also makes for a safer trip.
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