45 states likely to see highest fuel prices ever at this time of year

CHICAGO, Ill. (WANE) - 45 states are likely to see record-breaking prices at the pump for Labor Day weekend.

Alaska, Colorado, Montana, New Mexico, and Wyoming are the only states who will be spared from the soaring gas prices.

"The average motorist will be laboring a bit more to pay for gas this Labor Day weekend. Although the end of summer driving season usually sends retail gas prices downward, they’ve got a long way to go before prices fall back to ‘tolerable’. While Tropical Storm Isaac begins to weaken, there's still enough upset motorists to think this was a category five storm," said Patrick DeHaan, senior petroleum analyst at GasBuddy.com.

DeHaan said that the national average is $3.80 per gallon; however, cities like Chicago are paying $4.35 per gallon at the pump.

Although Hurricane Issac's timing is making the situation worse, gas prices are likely to lower throughout the weekend.

"Contrary to popular belief that prices always rise during major holiday weekends, analysis of Labor Day weekend prices from 2001 through 2011 shows that the national average price of gas actually declined in 10 of the last 11 years," said Gregg Laskoski, the senior petroleum analyst for GasBuddy.com.

To help out your wallet this Labor Day weekend, check out WANE-TV's Gas Gauge , which lists gas prices at different gas station in Fort Wayne, Auburn, Angola, Berne, Columbia City, Decatur, Huntington, and Kendallville.