By DAVID STONE, Our Town Temple

Surging gas prices hit an all-time high in Temple and across America today and experts say prices will climb higher.

Since Monday, the national average for a gallon of regular gasoline has increased by nine cents to $4.43, the highest average price ever recorded in the United States. Diesel also hit a new record high of $5.56 per gallon.

In Temple, drivers are paying more at the pump—a lot more—as the cost of gasoline moves steadily higher. This morning, the average price locally for regular was $4.05, up 14 cents from a week ago.

Last year — on May 13, 2021 — Temple residents were paying $2.67 per gallon.

Also in Temple, premium-grade fuel is now at $4.61 per gallon and diesel is averaging $5.19.

Temple is not alone — prices have spiked everywhere in the Lone Star state and beyond. The state averages this morning were $4.11 for regular, $4.74 for premium and $5.24 for diesel.

The only metro area in Texas below the $4 mark for regular is the Brownsville/Harlingen area, and those folks are paying $3.99.

As of right now, Texas has the 42nd highest gas prices in America, far below the $5.85 average in California and the $5.31 in Hawaii. The cheapest average gas price can be found in Georgia at $3.94.

At the beginning of the week, the price of crude oil slid below $100 per barrel because of global market concerns that crude demand will suffer as COVID lockdowns in China remain in place. But, crude prices reversed course yesterday over growing market worries that Ukrainian and European Union actions against Russian oil-and-natural gas companies could spark retaliation by Russia that leads to more market disruption and uncertainty.

BONUS ISSUE: Regular Friday issue will be published this afternoon so staff could produce this special report.