While inflation has impacted pretty much ever aspect of life in recent years, there's one place of quasi-relief for Americans: at the gas station. National gas prices are $3.449 per gallon for regular heading into the summer, according to AAA. That's down from $3.578 a year ago — and down from almost $3.70 earlier this year.
The Kiplinger Letter team predicts gas prices will stay on average well above $3 per gallon this summer. "Fuel demand has been a bit weaker than normal for this time of year, and crude oil prices have pulled back, leading to lower costs at the retail level. That’s good news for the summer travel season and for tamping down overall inflation," writes Kiplinger Letter managing editor Jim Patterson.
