Gas prices go through the roof!

Wow.... all of a sudden I bad about complaining about gas prices in the US...
First of all, I should mention that there are 3 or 4 main levels of gas you can get in the US: 87, 89, 91 and 93 Octane. Most people tend to buy 87, because its the cheapest. In the Pittsburgh area, where I live, 87 has been hovering around $4/gallon (about $1.05 per liter). Last I saw 93 was between $4.30 and $4.50.

All the prices vary from state to state, and even between cities within the same state.

The main reasons why Americans complain about the prices (at least as far as I can tell) is first of all how steeply the price has climbed. In 1 year, the price has increased $1 for a gallon (last year around this time I consistently found gas for under $3/gallon). The other reason is that things in the US are much farther away and apart than in Sweden and Europe. We need our cars more to be able to get around (public transportation is hard to find, doesn't run very often, and isn't that cheap). I find myself filling up my Volvo V70 at least once per week, and that's mostly from going to and from work and to the grocery store, etc. (and I don't even have to worry about driving kids around, only myself).

Anyway, thats my view. I welcome anyone to give me their opinion on US prices as well.

-Zeb