Gasoline prices averaged the highest ever in 2012, despite never topping the single day spikes seen in 2008.
The nationwide average price for a gallon of regular gas hit $3.60 in 2012, according to AAA.  That’s up 9 cents from the previous record high of $3.51 a gallon set in 2011.   The third most expensive year on record was 2008, when prices averaged $3.25 a gallon.    2008 was also the year gasoline hit its highest one-day price ever — $4.11 per gallon in July.