Gas prices rise as spring season approaches: AAA

Gas prices rose by double digits as oil prices rose slightly. (iStock)

Spring is finally here, and that means a rise in gas prices. Gas prices rose by 11 cents on average this week, according to AAA’s weekly report. The average gas price now sits at $3.52 per gallon.

«Gas prices are a lot like seasonal temperatures,» AAA spokesperson Andrew Gross said. «They start to rise with the arrival of spring.»

Rising oil prices are to blame for the higher costs at the pump. Midwestern states are the only ones likely to see a slight decrease in prices now that the BP Whiting oil refinery in Indiana is back in business after being shut down since February.

«And the national average for gas is now higher than a year ago, which we have not seen since late December,» Gross said.

Today’s national average of $3.52 is nine cents more than a year ago at this time. It’s also 25 cents more than a month ago.

Although prices are higher, gas demand is actually down slightly. According to data from the Energy Information Administration, demand decreased from 9.04 barrels per day to 8.81 million barrels per day last week.

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MANY DRIVERS ARE SPENDING OVER 30% OF THEIR MONTHLY INCOME ON AUTO LOANS, CAR INSURANCE COSTS ALSO RISING

These states have seen the largest increase in gas prices

The states that have seen the largest increase in gas prices include the following 10 states:

• Illinois (+21 cents)
• Indiana (+21 cents)
• Ohio (+18 cents)
• Maryland (+17 cents)
• Minnesota (+16 cents)
• Kentucky (+16 cents)
• Alaska (+16 cents)
• Wisconsin (+16 cents)
• Nebraska (+16 cents)
• Oregon (+16 cents)

Some of these states overlap with the most expensive markets in the country. These markets include:

• California ($4.95)
• Hawaii ($4.69)
• Washington ($4.37)
• Nevada ($4.26)
• Oregon ($4.14)
• Alaska ($3.92)
• Illinois ($3.91)
• Arizona ($3.73)
• Washington, D.C. ($3.63)
• Michigan ($3.60)

If you're worried about rising prices, focus on lowering auto-related costs you can control, like your auto insurance rates. Car insurance rates vary