Gas prices crept up this week, but not by much as oil prices fell

The average price for a gallon of gas was $3.67 this week. (iStock)

The average price Americans pay at the pump increased this past week, but by just four cents, AAA reported. Drivers paid an average of $3.67 a gallon, 21 cents more than this time last year.

Prices increased slightly due to a small jump in demand. Data from the Energy Information Administration (EIA) found that gas demand rose from 8.61 to 8.66 million barrels per day last week.

Oil prices decreased, helping to ensure prices didn’t spike too high. Within the last few weeks, tensions in the Middle East have driven oil prices up, but this week, the cost of a barrel decreased into the low $80s.

«The situation overseas with war in both the Middle East and Ukraine has the oil market on edge,» Andrew Gross, AAA spokesperson said.

«But this is also the time of year we may see a bit of a lull in gasoline demand between the end of spring breaks and ahead of Memorial Day. So, the national average for gas may waffle a bit with small increases, some flat days, and even some price dips,» Gross said.

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The ten least and most expensive markets

Gas prices fluctuate throughout the country. These 10 states have the least expensive prices:

• Mississippi ($3.11)
• Colorado ($3.16)
• Louisiana ($3.18)
• Oklahoma ($3.22)
• Arkansas ($3.23)
• New Mexico ($3.26)
• Tennessee ($3.26)
• Kansas ($3.26)
• Alabama ($3.27)
• South Carolina ($3.27)

At the other end of the spectrum, these are the states with the highest gas prices:

• California ($5.45)
• Hawaii ($4.78)
• Washington ($4.67)
• Nevada ($4.63)
• Oregon ($4.44)
• Alaska ($4.37)
• Arizona ($3.13)
• Utah ($3.96)
• Illinois ($3.96)
• Idaho ($3.93)

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