2023 Expected to Bring $4 Per Gallon Gas Prices to Maine This Summer

Here's some excruciating news to start 2023 with.

According to the Bangor Daily News, Mainers should expect gas prices to once again skyrocket this summer. Experts are already predicting prices to reach the $4 per gallon mark for the second straight year.

However, unlike 2022, prices shouldn't be reaching the $5 per gallon. I guess we can call that a win?

The Bangor Daily News lists many of the reasons for the expected jump, with the major factor being a predicted significant increase in demand. Experts told the Eastern Maine paper that the major factors surrounding the demand issue are the ongoing Russian-Ukraine War and China finally loosening its draconian restrictions due to the Covid pandemic.

According creditmonkey.com, June is the expected month that will see the highest prices. This isn't surprising, considering it's the month when school gets out and summer vacations truly ramp up. The oil refining process also negatively affects the summer pricing due to the federally mandated use of more expensive components.

While $4 a gallon is certainly higher than anyone wants to pay, the higher prices are certainly becoming the new normal here in the US. Long gone are the days of throwing a 10 spot down on the gas station counter and being able to drive to Boston and back.

However, it could be worse. As I mentioned earlier, it was just last year when we were all complaining about the $5 price tag, so at least that number is not being predicted for this coming summer. But it's still a gut punch to all of us that love to lower those windows, crank some tunes, and enjoy hitting the road for some much-needed respite.