If you feel like you've been pumping more money into your gas tank lately, you're not alone. A new analysis by AAA shows gas prices are up across the country.
The national average for a gallon of regular gasoline rose seven cents since last week to hit $3.50 on Monday, according to AAA. That's 11 cents more than last month's average.
As for why pump prices keep ticking up lately, AAA says there are two driving factors.
"Oil prices finally crested and have now settled above the $70 per barrel mark after weeks of hovering just below it, and gas demand is very robust," Andrew Gross, AAA spokesperson said in a statement. "These two factors will cause drivers to see prices increase for now."
According to new data from the Energy Information Administration, gas demand recently increased from 8.96 million barrels per day to 9.15 million. Meanwhile, total domestic gasoline stocks decreased substantially by 2.9 million bbl to 226.7 million bbl (bbl refers to a barrel of crude oil, which is 42 gallons).
"Increased demand amid tighter supply has contributed to pushing pump prices higher," AAA said. "If demand continues to rise, pump prices will likely follow suit."
While motorists are paying an average of $52 for a full 15-gallon tank of gas, AAA points out that the price is about $10 less than this time last year, when gas was an average of $4.19 per gallon -- and a discount of about $26 from 2022's highest price last June, when it was $5.01 per gallon.
Additionally, Missourians are facing lower prices than most Americans; the state is in the bottom ten for gas prices. However, Missouri did see one of the largest increases in the last week, with prices increasing by ten cents on average.
The nation's top 10 most expensive markets
• California -- $4.83
• Hawaii -- $4.78
• Washington -- $4.30
• Arizona -- $4.29
• Nevada - $4.21
• Oregon -- $3.91
• Illinois -- $3.83
• Alaska --$3.81
• Utah -- $3.70
• Washington D.C. -- $3.63
The nation's top 10 least expensive markets
• Mississippi -- $3.02
• Oklahoma -- $3.08
• Arkansas -- $3.09
• Kansas -- $3.12
• Missouri -- $3.14
• Alabama -- $3.15
• South Carolina -- $3.15
• Texas -- $3.15
• Louisiana -- $3.17
• Montana -- $3.19
10 states with the largest increase in averages since last week
• Ohio -- up 23 cents
• Indiana -- up 18 cents
• Kentucky -- up 15 cents
• Michigan -- up 14 cents
• Illinois -- up 13 cents
• Iowa -- up 12 cents
• Nebraska -- up 11 cents
• Delaware -- up 10 cents
• Missouri -- up 10 cents
• Maryland -- up 10 cents
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