Gas prices are still a long way from the all-time highs of 2008, but they’re inching up again. Will rising gas prices thwart the economic recovery? CNNMoney asked that question of Mark Zandi, chief economist for Moody's Economy.com. Zandi believes that the average nationwide price for a gallon of gas may exceed $3 by Memorial Day; but before you run out to a payday loan store to finance your next fill-up, note that Zandi also believes the increase is not likely to “undermine the recovery.”
Will spending decrease?
The more people have to pay for gas, of course, the less they can spend on other things. According to the CNN article, however, several experts think that this time around, consumers will keep driving and keep spending despite the rising cost of gas. Zandi, for one, expects gas prices to drop back down this coming fall, and that’s why he thinks the current trend won’t reverse recent economic gains. Zandi admits, on the other hand, that we could be headed for trouble if gas prices don’t fall as he expects and $3 per gallon becomes the new norm.
The same old story of supply and demand
Gas prices reached $4.11 in the summer of 2008 partly because of a speculative frenzy, but have remained at less than $3 a gallon since October of that year. In that recent escalation, people actually changed their driving behaviors as a result of gas prices. Not only did they drive fewer miles, they stopped buying SUVs and other gas-guzzlers and started buying smaller cars. … click here to read the rest of the article titled "Will rising gas prices thwart economic recovery?"
Martin Rogen 
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