Average Gas Prices Hit Highest Point in 2017

WASHINGTON, D.C. — The national average price for a gallon of regular gasoline has reached its highest point in 2017, averaging $2.39 as of April 10. This is 6 cents more expensive than one week ago, 9 cents more than one month ago and 35 cents more than one year ago, according to AAA Newsroom.

The average has increased for 13 of the last 14 days. Gas prices rose in 48 states and Washington, D.C., over the last week, led by the switch to more expensive summer-blend gasoline and increased driving demand, the news outlet reported.

The nation's top 10 least expensive markets are South Carolina ($2.11), Alabama ($2.14), Tennessee ($2.14), Mississippi ($2.14), Oklahoma ($2.15), Arkansas ($2.16), Virginia ($2.19), Louisiana ($2.19), Missouri ($2.20) and Texas ($2.21). The nation's top 10 most expensive markets are Hawaii ($3.04), California ($2.99), Washington ($2.89), Alaska ($2.88), Oregon ($2.75), Nevada ($2.67), Pennsylvania ($2.59), Michigan ($2.57), Washington, D.C. ($2.54) and Illinois ($2.51).

The top 10 markets with the largest weekly increases include Kentucky (15 cents), Florida (12 cents), Michigan (12 cents), Indiana (11 cents), Alaska (10 cents), Missouri (9 cents), Pennsylvania (9 cents), Illinois (9 cents), Georgia (7 cents) and Colorado (7 cents).

Gas prices are highest on the West Coast, with six states in the region topping the list of the most expensive U.S. markets. Pump prices in some states are likely to breach the $3 per gallon mark by July, and prices in the Northwest and California are expected to rise in the coming weeks due to refinery maintenance.

Prices are most stable in the Rockies, where pump prices fluctuated by only a few cents, except for Colorado, which saw a 7-cent week-over-week increase. This is likely due to planned maintenance at Phillips 66's Borger refinery in the Texas Panhandle.

Five states in the Great Lakes and Central regions saw some of the most significant gas prices increases over the last week. Meanwhile, the least expensive gas prices were still seen in states in the South and Southeast, despite some price spikes. Kentucky saw the largest price increase in the country at 15 cents. Despite a 7-cent increase, South Carolina ($2.11) continues to post the lowest prices in the country.

Mid-Atlantic and Northeast states saw some fluctuations in the last week, and the region will continue to see a jump in price this week, as gas stations make the final changeover to summer-blend fuels.