GasolinePrices

After dropping for most of the month, gas prices are now lower in much of the U.S. than they were a year ago. That hasn't happened in more than two years, and it could be part of a larger decline in gasoline prices that could lift consumer confidence ahead of the summer driving season.

Gasoline prices climbed Friday for the 24th straight day as service stations pass along the rising cost of oil. The national average for gasoline hit $3.741 per gallon, according to AAA, Wright Express and Oil Price Information Service. That's an increase of 46.5 cents per gallon since the start of 2012. Gasoline has never been so high this time of year, and analysts say it could reach a record of $4.25 per gallon by late April.

It looks like consumers are finally starting to see lower prices at the pump, with auto club AAA reporting a modest decline in gas prices this week. The drop comes after crude oil prices have fallen 20% since July. What does this mean for the economy?

If there's one good thing that came out of Thursday's dizzying market slide, it's the fact that consumers could soon feel a little less pain at the pump. Oil futures also fell along with stocks on fears of lower demand. And gasoline prices should soon follow suit.

During most of June, Western Refining followed the rest of the market down, dipping as much as 16.5%. However, its shares have since perked up -- and they have much farther to rise. The refiner is in a prime position to take advantage of a wide spread between the price of crude oil and gasoline.

The cost of regular gas nationwide Sunday was $3.548, down from $3.557 the previous week. However, the dip probably won't last long.

Yet another airline fee is on the horizon, just in time for the busy summer travel season. Fuel surcharges are likely to push airfares higher to make up for a 25% increase in airline gas prices so far this year, industry watchers warn. "Airlines have gotten pretty good about adding fees on...

By now, we've heard all the advice about weathering the recession. And by many measures, the message seems to have sunk in: Americans are weaning themselves off their credit cards and increasing the amount of money they save. All this progress is well and good, but it also begs the question: Why on...

Isn't it great that gas prices are finally teetering on normal? Remember the horror movie last summer when parts of the country, especially in the south, saw prices inch toward $5 a gallon? Turns out Wall Street is to blame for all that pressure at the pump. Last night's 60 Minutes aired a segment...

Americans aren't guzzling gas like they used to, even though prices have dropped below $2 a gallon and are well below what they were last summer and a year ago. While the drop may be simply tied to the poor economy, a recent Gallup poll found that 52% of Americans are driving less even though gas...