US gas prices continue to rise

Updated: Mar 6, 2021 / 05:11 PM CST

SAN ANSELMO, CALIFORNIA – MARCH 03: A customer pumps gas into his vehicle at a 76 gas station on March 03, 2021 in San Anselmo, California. Gas prices have increased across the United States to a national average of $2.72 per gallon, an increase of 30 cents from one month ago. Gas in California has an average price of $3.68 per gallon, the highest in the nation. (Photo by Justin Sullivan/Getty Images)

TRENTON, N.J. (AP) — Gas prices continue to rise in New Jersey and around the nation amid rising crude prices, tightening gas supplies, and increased gas demand.

AAA Mid-Atlantic says the average price of a gallon of regular gas in New Jersey on Friday was $2.86, up five cents from a week ago. Drivers were paying an average of $2.47 a gallon a year ago at this time.

The national average price for a gallon of regular gasoline was $2.75, up six cents from last week. Drivers were paying an average of $2.40 a gallon a year ago at this time.

Analysts say total domestic gas stocks decreased and demand went up last week, and if those trends continue along with higher crude prices, drivers can expect incremental price increases at the pump this month.

Since last Thursday, these 10 states have seen the largest increases in their averages: Utah (+20 cents), Colorado (+13 cents), Wyoming (+12 cents), Idaho (+12 cents), Arizona (+12 cents), Nevada (+11 cents), Kansas (+10 cents), Oklahoma (+10 cents), New Mexico (+10 cents) and Florida (+9 cents).