Most expensive gasoline in nation? It’s D.C.

The District had the most expensive gasoline in the nation yesterday morning, but prices began dropping by the end of the day.

A gallon of regular gas cost an average of $3.38 in the District yesterday, up 3 cents from Tuesday and higher than any state average calculated by AAA.

New York state followed closely at $3.34, and Maryland was third at $3.26. Virginia was 15th at $3.12 per gallon.

The average in Mississippi, which faced the brunt of Hurricane Katrina, the catalyst for the latest spike in gas prices, was the cheapest at $2.73.

While most state averages include rural areas, where gas is traditionally cheaper, the District’s average placed second when compared with major metropolitan areas, according to AAA Mid-Atlantic.

The average in Buffalo, N.Y., was higher at $3.44.

New York City’s average was 6 cents less at $3.32, Baltimore’s average was $3.30 and Los Angeles, home to traditionally high gas prices, was $2.99 yesterday morning.

In the Washington area, the average was $3.22, down a penny.

Prices began a slow decline yesterday, with some local stations reporting a drop yesterday morning of 5 to 30 cents.

The price of regular fuel dropped 30 cents overnight to $3.29 at a Shell station on Baltimore Avenue in College Park.

“We are told it’s probably going down in the next week or two, I hope,” said Sam, an auto manager at the station who did not want his last name used. “It’s good for everybody.”

Sam said it is frustrating to constantly change the large sign outside his shop, which until yesterday was on an upward climb.

“But what choice do we have? We still have to eat and drink. It’s becoming tough,” he said.

Motorists are skeptical they’re out of the woods.

“I’ll believe it when I see it,” said Charles, a D.C. resident who did not want his last name used.

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