Gas prices climb across Virginia, Maryland

(The Center Square) – Drivers across Virginia, Maryland and Washington, D.C., are heading into Memorial Day weekend with gas prices above $4 a gallon as record holiday travel pushes fuel demand higher across the region.

Virginia’s average gas price stood at $4.43 per gallon Friday. Maryland averaged $4.51, while Washington, D.C., reached $4.66, according to AAA.

The national average stood at $4.55 per gallon Friday.

AAA said Memorial Day weekend gas prices have reached their highest levels in four years as a record number of Americans are expected to travel during the holiday period, most by car.

Nationally, gas prices are up about $1.38 per gallon compared to the same time last year, according to AAA. Virginia drivers are paying roughly $1.39 more per gallon than they were a year ago, while Maryland prices are about $1.43 higher than last Memorial Day weekend.

AAA said gasoline demand remains high ahead of the holiday weekend, and the prolonged closure of the Strait of Hormuz is likely to keep fuel prices elevat...