The reason why gas prices are going up is for the most important reason in sales.
Supply and demand.
In other words, you pay the most money possible for everything you buy. Your ipod that cost you $150, cost apple to make, market, sell, etc etc about $1.75. The reason they charge you so much is because “you will pay for it”
Same is the cost of apples, manicures, and light bulbs.
They charge you the absolute maximum you would pay for it.
Same is with gas, until people refuse to pay these prices, they will continue to increase.
The concept “inflated price” is an oxymoron. If someone will pay the price, it cannot be inflated.
Look at house prices in Manhattan. you can buy something 76 times the size for a 53rd of the price in Kentucky. The reason it is so expensive, is because someone will buy it! (and when people stop buying houses, the prices drop, as we are seeing over the last 3 years)