Why are gas prices so high?

In the USA, gas is cheap. Far too cheap.

Scriptor

Hi there,

       Check out this website. Its not very technically detailed. But makes sense.

http://money.howstuffworks.com/gas-price.htm

Regards

Cheap scriptor??????

Certainly, dear steph53. Extremely cheap, compared with gas prices in Europe...

Scriptor

Yes indeed, Scriptor, but I would argue that the prices at the pump in
Europe are too high (rather than that US prices are too low), burdened
with taxes that increase with the increase of the basic price for the
gas, not to mention the spurious argument for adding a tax to
obstensibly reduce consumption and then reaping the tax income because
the market is inflexible.
Myoarin

Hi, Beasley! Gas prices are getting higher and higher because the
consumption is getting higher and higher and production is not able to
keep pace with consumption. Added to these woes is the political
situation, the Russian trouble with Oil companies, Strikes in Nigeria,
Extremism in Saudi Arabia, Katrina, Rita, huge growth in China and
India, etc.etc.

It does not cost less to maintain roadways in the US than in Europe. 
In many European countries the tax for roads is added to the cost of
gas (users pay.) However, in the US, more of the tax is raised from
other sources such as property taxes, income taxes, etc.  No one is
getting off any cheaper, different countries just collect the taxes in
different ways.

Research help,
In Germany, only in principle is there a tax on gas for roads. 
Principle was the wrong word.  It is defined as a tax for this
purpose, but by law, tax is just tax, all going in one pot, and the
amount collect is not spent for that purpose.
Myoarin

SUPPLY VS. DEMAND.          It is that simple.

I work at a gasstation, and this is what we have been told are to be
held accountable for gas prices being raised <or lowered>:
during a major price raise three things effect price: the price the
government pays for crude oil usualy by the barrel going up, the
prices raise to meet the higher demand, certian things can cause the
raise in price: natural effects, like hurricanes hitting major
refineries, which cause a temporary shortage in the amount that gets
proccessed. and competition is another cause for a raise in price.
everyone trying to outsell the competition while still making enough
money to purchase the fuel.