(WWJ) For the first time in nine weeks, gas prices are on the rise.
AAA says drivers in Michigan are now paying an average price of $1.53 per gallon for regular unleaded. A spot check by WWJ 950 this weekend revealed prices as low as $1.39 a gallon downriver and as high as $1.99 in downtown Royal Oak.
The official survey by AAA found the most expensive gas in Marquette at $1.69 a gallon and the the least expensive was in Flint at $1.49 a gallon.
In the Detroit area, drivers are paying an average of $1.56 a gallon, which is 13 cents more than last week.
The state average is up 11 cents compared to last week, which is the first increase in nine weeks.
Even with the increase, the price is still 12 cents less than this time last month and about $1.40 less than this time last year.
Motorists are paying an average of $23 for a full 15-gallon tank of gasoline; a discount of $21 from when prices were their highest last July.
New data from the Energy Information Administration revealed that domestic gas demand continues to increase, which helped to push up the national average. It grew from 5.31 million b/d to 5.86 million b/d last week; however, it is still 3.37 million b/d lower than last year's rate at this same time.
"As restrictions are lifted and businesses begin to reopen, gas demand is likely to continue increasing and pump prices are likely to slow their decline and increase, too," said Adrienne Woodland, spokesperson, AAA - The Auto Club Group.
