New data shows that the average price of gas in Maryland, as of Wednesday night, has hit $4 a gallon--three days before Easter, typically a high travel holiday.

Officials at AAA Mid-Atlantic said they don’t anticipate travel to lag during the holiday despite the high gas prices, as data has shown drivers have been hitting the road more than a year ago due to nice weather.

“For the short term, consumers can still expect more incremental increases in the cost of gasoline and diesel fuel until summer fully arrives,” said Ragina C. Averella, a AAA Mid-Atlantic spokesperson.

She said the pattern would likely continue until the peak of summer driving season when demand reaches its highest level before falling.

"At that point, fuel prices should start to slowly recede and then they go into full retreat," Averella said in a press release.

April’s $4 gas price average in Maryland comes a month ahead of when those prices hit last year, according to AAA.

Gas price averages vary throughout the state. In Baltimore, motorists are paying $3.99 per gallon, compared to $4.05 in the Washington suburbs.

That price matches Maryland’s all-time record high average of $4.05 a gallon, set on June 17, 2008, according to a AAA news release.

Meanwhile, Gov. Martin O’Malley is pushing for an increased sales tax that would apply to gas in Maryland, though many delegates believe that his proposal to add a 6 percent sales tax on gasoline to fund the state's Transportation Trust Fund is dead.

Regular Unleaded Gasoline

Source: AAA