Energy experts say gas prices are bound to hit that threshold sometime this year as oil prices rise.

But please spare the filling station manager your wrath. He's not thereason that pump prices across the country are rising.

One key reason for higher fuel prices is economic recovery in developing countries. As the economy improves in parts of Asia, especially China, people use more fuel. That trend continues, even as Americans use less.

"There's no question demand internationally is increasing, and virtually all the major forecasters for the year have been increasing their forecasts for demand worldwide," said John Felmy, chief economist with the American Petroleum Institute industry group.

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