Record high gas prices are expected to drop in September

SOUTHFIELD, Mich. (WXYZ) - Gas prices only fell about a penny Friday, which is nothing that would do much for your wallet, but experts believe September is when prices should become a little more tolerable.

Right now at the pump we are paying 29 cents more this year than we were last year at this time.  According to AAA of Michigan, Hurricane Isaac is to blame after refineries closed down in preparation for it.

“Every time something, new pops up they have a new excuse to raise the price,” said Charlton Cartwright before he filled up.

“It bothers me because I work hard and most of my money goes to the gas, but I need it,” said Angel Darget as she filled her tank.

Prices usually drop around this time of year, at the end of summer, because refineries are switching over from a summer gas to a cheaper winter gas mixture.  The change could be a definite impact for people like Hunter Rucks who finds it expensive to fill up his SUV. 

“It’s about $65 dollars, but that’s when it’s at like $3.80,” said Rucks.

Drivers in Southfield were filling up for $4.17 at 12 Mile Rd. and Evergreen.  The average around Detroit sat at around $4.08-$4.09.  Drivers are not completely surprised, because unfortunately, they say they have come to expect higher prices around holidays.

“I liked it before it was at $3.82 and $3.79,” said Cartwright.

“I want to go back to $2.50 or $3.00,” said Darget.

Those are some prices that drivers we talked said they could tolerate.  Experts say expect to see a price drop in mid to late September.

“I have a cabin up north, but it’s tough to get up there when it’s so high,” said Rucks.

“I’m not going to be able to start walking tomorrow, walking to work and where I need to go,” said Darget.

“I’m still going to do my little festivals and stuff for the family, yeah, we are still going to do what we like to do.  But we are staying local though,” said Cartwright.

Even with these record high prices, travel is up one percent from last year because people do not want to miss out on that last summer hurrah.