Recent fuel pricing factors in the U.S.

• U.S. regular-grade retail gasoline prices averaged $2.71 in the first quarter of 2010.  The average price for all of 2009 was $2.35 per gallon, down by over 27 percent from the 2008 average price of $3.26 per gallon.
• The global price of crude oil is the primary determinant of the price at the pump.  Rising crude oil prices are reflecting global demand from a recovering world economy.  In February 2010, crude oil costs made up 69 percent of the cost of gasoline; manufacturing and marketing costs were 16 percent; and taxes comprised 15 percent of the average U.S. retail price for regular gasoline, according to the Energy Information Administration.

• Combined state and federal taxes add about 48 cents per gallon to the price at the pump.  In states like New York, Hawaii and California, these combined taxes exceed 60 cents per gallon.