Rising gasoline prices tightened the squeeze on drivers, jumping for the
first time to a nationwide average $3.50 a gallon at filling stations
across the country, according to AAA and the Oil Price Information
Service, with no sign of letup. Diesel prices at the pump also struck a
record high of $4.14 a gallon. Drivers in New Jersey are paying the
least, while drivers in California pay the most.
The Energy Department predicted earlier this month that monthly
average gasoline price will peak at more than $3.60 per gallon in June
and could even reach $4.
Energy Department data show Americans used about 1 percent less gas in the month ended April 11 than they did a year earlier.
