Have you gassed up lately? Did you notice that prices have surged? Its going to eat up the cost of your morning coffee and maybe your donut too.

Gas prices have risen recently on average about 15 cents per gallon. In one week in New Bern, N.C., prices increased from $1.58 per gallon to $1.68 per gallon.

Clerks and station owners working at the New Bern stations said the prices have been going up because of increased demand over the past several months. Higher gas prices were also fueled by higher crude oil prices, which are rising due to the crisis in the Middle East.

Tancred Lidderdale, an oil industry economist with the Energy Information Administration, expects the U.S. gas price to be $2.03 per gallon this year, with this year being the lowest annual average since 2004.

Where do you think gas prices will go this year?

Have you gassed up lately? Prices are up by 15 cents per gallon originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Sun, 11 Jan 2009 15:40:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.