Gas prices hit $4 per gallon in the Philadelphia area after weeks of upwardly creeping costs. Adjusted for inflation, the $4 gallon of gas is higher than the cost of gas during the infamous 1973 oil crisis.

With gas currently at $129 per barrel, seven gas stations in the eight-county area have posted prices of $4 or higher for regular-grade gasoline yesterday, according to AAA Mid-Atlantic. Gas hit $4 per gallon at Connecticut pumps earlier in the month too, and it’s now the state average. One station owner predicts that he’ll be charging as much as $4.50 per gallon by July 4th.

“It seems like it’s been inching up every day, even if it’s just by a penny or two,” Catherine L. Rossi of AAA MidAtlantic said.

“We had expected that some stations in the Philadelphia area would reach $4. We’re hopeful that the average price would not top $4, though it is certainly possible,” she said. [philly.com]

Americans are now paying a national average of $3.80 for a gallon of regular gasoline, according to a survey by AAA and the Oil Price Information Service. The national average was $3.18 per gallon one year ago.

What do to? Drive less! If you can. here and learn more about bike sharing programs, or and check out tip #9 and find out about carpooling and van-pooling in your community. You can also learn fuel saving tips and with the Drive Smarter Challenge.

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