BUSINESS BRIEFING / FUEL

Gasoline prices are expected to be relatively low this summer, so motorists might want to take to the road despite the dismal economy if the federal government’s projections hold.

The Energy Information Administration said a gallon of regular gasoline is expected to average $2.23 during the April-through-September driving season, although it will probably fluctuate and could jump to more than $2.30 a gallon during the peak driving period in late summer.

But that’s still a bargain compared with last summer, when gasoline cost an average of $3.81 a gallon.

Much lower crude oil prices, which are projected to average $53 a barrel this year after soaring as high as $147 a barrel last summer, are the primary reason for the lower prices at the pump.