On Wednesday, June 5, a new record was set in Cedar Springs when the price jumped to $4.29. That’s higher than in August 2008, when it rose to $4.25.

This most recent jump came on the heels of a 29-cent price hike Saturday, June 1, when gas prices in Cedar Springs jumped from $3.86 to $4.15, then dropped early in the week to $4.00.

While the national average price has fallen, Michigan now has the second highest gas prices in the country. Only Hawaii is more expensive.

Reportedly the BP Whiting Refinery in Indiana and Exxon Mobil Joliet Refinery in Illinois have been down for major facility upgrades or issues.

“While the national average has given up some ground to start the driving season, motorists have certainly seen a lot of ups and downs in different areas of the country,” said GasBuddy.com Senior Petroleum Analyst Patrick DeHaan. “One thing remains the same throughout the United States, and that is we’re still reliant on oil refineries to process crude oil into gasoline. When they go partially offline whether expected or unexpected, there’s going to be tightness in gasoline supply, and that has an almost immediately impact at the gas pump,” DeHaan said.

What are you doing to help alleviate the pain at the pump? Send us your tips. Email them to news@cedarspringspost.com.