Cars.com Almost Predicts $4 Gas Date

Nearly three weeks ago, I — senior editor David Thomas — picked Friday as the day we would hit $4 as the national average for a gallon of gas. Don’t believe me? Go check it out here. I was very, very close; as you may already know, we hit $4 today. 

Now, what does this mean? It means we’re paying 1.7 cents more for gas today than yesterday — when gas prices retreated almost half a cent — 39 cents more than a month ago, and 86 cents more than a year ago. Other than that, I think the $4 figure of today is completely psychological. There has been plenty of time — and certainly enough media coverage — for consumers to prepare for this day. We’ll have to wait out the summer driving season to see if prices retreat as they normally do every year when it ends.

The continual rise in cost with no relief over the past few months has been the real problem for drivers. Folks just don’t know when it will end. That in turn is fueling a surge in sales of smaller, more-efficient cars. The worry is that the $4 milestone is actually just a waypoint to an even higher figure. I won’t predict what that might be.   

If you think today’s price has more significance, let us know why in the comments below.

Comments

Here comes 5!

Why don't my pay increase with the fuel prices?

So who is willing to bet when it will go to 5. Thats the question on everyones mind right now. Im wondering if I shouldnt be looking at a scooter?

Well one good thing about high gas prices: SUVs are much safer.

Bob Wilson

SUV are not safer.

What is the point an SUV gave 17-21, even cars only can give about 30 MPG. I don't see the big savings as at $5.00 a gallon it does not pay to drive far period. The idea is to change the way America is setup. We can not commute far to work. With technology we need to work from home and drive much much less. That is the only way to cut demand and let big oil sink. As they won't need to make wars anymore if permanently cut demand in half.

SUVs are safer ... parked with nearly empty gas tanks.

Bob Wilson

Albert clearly is one of the lucky few who do not produce anything tangible or sees customers in person. too bad many of the rest of us do. show me how to do surgery from home.

so, with inflation figured in, is $4/gal gas really that bad compared to previous decades?

the price of milk has gone up faster!

as much as i hate SUVs, i think it's more important if $5/gal gas would make more people carpool in their SUVs ... i mean, isn't the excuse people who buy SUVs use that they can carry more???

$5 gallon by May 2009 and about $1 gallon increase each year til it hit's $8. It will happen.

^ziggy, at this rate it might hit $5 before next year.

There are some places it will hit $5 sooner but in terms of national average it will likely be next spring/summer. It hasn't even hit $4 where I live.

^It hasn't hit $4 dollars everywhere in NJ either. Where do you live?

Omaha NE

Wow, gas must be as cheap as dirt there.

$3.82 is about the lowest in Omaha but you can go into Iowa and get it for about $3.70.

$3.86 in my part of NJ, but I've seen it for as low as $3.78 in some parts of NJ.

$4 is the average. Go to CA where finding it under $4.35 is impossible. Or NY. Here it's just about $3.90 (eastern MA). Of course I require Premium, so its about $4.20. Glad I biked this morning :)

People from Manhattan actually drive to Jersey for cheaper gas. Prices in Manhattan now are as high as $4.60. Cross the bridge and you can find gas for $3.80.

prices wouldnt be so high if the tree huggers would allow us to drill in our own soil.

there is enough oil in this country's borders to sustain it for 70 years. more than enough time to get hydrogen and electric cars fully developed and on the dealer's lots for cheap money.

if gas in san diego, ca was $3.80 it would make my day!!!

back in 1995 gas was about $1.60 a gallon.. when it jumped to $2.00 i was freaking out.. then $3.00.. i was very worried.. so i got a smaller car.. then now $4.00... im happy with my that gets 24mpg.. compared to my old Suv that got 16mpg... now its currently at $4.53 for regular... and $5.60.... im quit sad about it.. but theres nothing i can do about...

but i tell you what.. it wouldn't matter if EVERY SINGLE AMERICAN DROVE A HYBRID.. because Chinese are all starting to OWN THEIR OWN CARS!! and if U.S. dont buy Oil from the MIDDLE EAST!! CHINA WILL.. which will still put us in a SHORTAGE>>!!

i just realized this when i went on a tour to China.. last week..

but everyone should drive a hybrid when it becomes more affordable.. its a good way to save you some money on gas...

so just enjoy gas at $3.80 in the East Coast or $4.53 in CA... because it will just go UP and Up and UP...

good day

-matt

AV, what fantasy world r u living in? 70 yr. to fully develop H2 or Electric vehicles? For reference, our "gasoline" vehicles have been developed for more than a hundred years, yet we are still achieving only 30% efficiency for the engine...MAX!

As for ok to drill - u obviously don't care about the environmental impact it has toward planet Earth. Sure, you can enjoy cheaper gasoline for another 70 years...at a sacrifice of the end toward human civilization!

And to answer a question 'bou wage increase - most companies use CLI to determine how much ur pay raise's gonnabe - now, it's NOT Cost of Living Index, which WOULD'VE included gasoline, food, etc prices which have all been bumped up significantly leading to inflation. No...companies HRs are too smart to fall for that. Most use Cost of Labor Index. What does that mean? Inflation - no, we don't care. Give u an example here. In HI, the cost of living index is SUPER HIGH, and you can always see all these small prints exemptions on various types for special discount or free offer (only to the lower 48 states). However, there are many people living in HI, and thus a lot of workforce. More importantly, because there are more people = more people available to work = cheaper wages. Conclusion: Cost of Labor Index is super low! You can easily see how many Hawaiians are super poor living in such an "expensive" state.