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We want to hear from you. We have activated our beta comment board system for this article while we are testing it. Please comment on the story and share your thoughts.SALT LAKE CITY -- Over the last two weeks, the national average price for gasoline has jumped 12 cents. But a new survey suggests prices may be near the peak.
According to the Lundberg nationwide survey of gas stations, analyst Trilby Lundberg found the average price nationally hit $3.88 on Sunday.
"It is less of a rise than we've seen in the prior two weeks and that is because crude oil prices slipped a little," Lundberg said. She also noted lowered demand.
March 2011 - $3.47
April 2010 - $3.10
Lundberg says with the pace of higher prices slowing, price increases may be near an end.
"Gasoline prices might hover around this level, which is at $3.88, and maybe never reach the all-time high which was $4.11 back in July of '08," she said. The all-time high for Utah was 10 cents above that, at $4.22.
She predicted if prices haven't peaked now, there's a good chance they will before the summer driving season.
Her survey found the highest prices in the country are in Chicago, where gas is averaging $4.27 a gallon. The lowest prices were found in Tucson, Ariz., at $3.54.
According to AAA, the current average price for a gallon of regular in Utah is $3.67. A month ago it was 20 cents less at $3.47. A year ago at this time, a gallon of regular in Utah was $3.10.
Over the weekend, President Obama warned that when it comes to rising gas prices, there is no quick fix. But in an attempt to help stabilize prices, he appointed a task force to fight fraud and price manipulation in the oil markets.
Some speculate that the gas price issue could make or break Obama's re-election effort. He made the gas spike the subject of his weekly radio and Internet address Saturday.
Story written with contributions from Mary Richards, Shara Park and The Associated Press.
