AAA reports show that severe winter weather is causing a temporary gas price increase across the US.
According to a report, the frigid weather has forced refineries as far south as Texas and the Gulf Coast to shut down temporarily.
The storm also caused an increase in holiday travelers hitting the road early to avoid the bad weather, causing a spike in overall gas demand. As a result, the national average for a gallon of gas has risen 12 cents since last week to $3.22.
In Wisconsin, the average price for regular unleaded gas is $3.11, although some counties have prices as high as $3.30.
Andrew Gross, AAA spokesperson, says that gas prices will likely go up a little more before this rise stops because of less expensive oil and a return to seasonal driving patterns. However, 2022 is expected to go down as a record year for gas prices, with a national annual average of $3.96. This is 40 to 50 cents more than the previous peak years of 2011 through 2014, according to fuel expert Tom Kloza of OPIS.
Extreme weather can affect the production and transportation of fuel, which can cause gas prices to go up or down.
Gas prices can have a significant impact on RV travel and RV owners. While RVs provide a convenient way to travel, explore and go on adventures, they can also be costly to operate due to their size and fuel consumption.
As gas prices fluctuate, it can affect the budget and planning of RV trips. When gas prices are high, it can significantly increase the cost of an RV trip and make it more expensive to travel long distances. However, industry experts highlighted that RV owners and the industry are resilient and can find alternatives, such as traveling closer to their homes or taking shorter trips.