I won't put my two cents as to the why of it, but regarding the quick increase: our town has two gas stations (it was big news when we got the second one--now we have more gas stations than stop lights!) and I was running on empty yesterday. I came to the first one and saw $4.39 and could not believe it. Thank goodness I wanted a fountain dietCoke because that's the only thing that made me go up to the second one (their prices are usually within 1 penny of each other). I got there and there were lines at every pump and gas was "only" $3.75. Of course the guy currently at the pump was filling his vehicle (dual gas tanks) and three gas cans, then the guy in front of me couldn't figure out how to operate the pump (as I'm hoping I don't run out of gas sitting there). Anyway, just as he starts pumping the attendent walked out to the sign with her little number-changer and right then increased it to $4.45!!! Of course I couldn't leave because 1) I have NO gas and 2) we're packed like sardines in there. I know they have to change the prices sometime, but not while I'm sitting in line!! Uber frustrating!! I do know as high as prices seem, the US actually has some of the lowest prices in the world!