Feds expect gas prices to top $3 a gallon
Daily Report (excerpt)

The Energy Department hasn't changed its prediction about higher gasoline prices. It still expects pump prices to climb past $3 per gallon as more motorists hit the road in the spring and summer driving seasons.

In its monthly short-term energy outlook report, the Energy Information Administration says that for the full year, the national average will be about $2.84 per gallon, up from $2.35 per gallon in 2009. That outlook was unchanged from last month.

Pump prices are already above $3 in California and are almost there elsewhere on the West Coast. The rest of the country isn't far behind. The average price today for a gallon of regular unleaded is $2.69 in metro Baton Rouge, according to AAA's Daily Fuel Gauge Report. That’s up from $2.62 a gallon a week earlier, $2.50 a month ago and $1.85 a year ago. Higher oil prices, gasoline blended with ingredients to cut down on smog in warmer weather and an uptick in demand are expected to drive prices higher. Some analysts don't think U.S. consumers can afford to drive more or pay higher prices.