BALTIMORE, MD—The nation’s average price of gasoline has risen for the third straight week, climbing 4.3 cents from a week ago to $3.64 per gallon this week, according to GasBuddy data compiled from more than 12 million individual price reports covering over 150,000 gas stations across the country.

The national average is up 10.8 cents from a month ago and 1.1 cents per gallon lower than a year ago. The national average price of diesel has fallen 0.4 cents in the last week and stands at $4.01 per gallon—15 cents lower than one year ago.

“As the nationwide changeover to summer gasoline is now behind us, at least one of the three factors that had been actively causing prices to rise in the last couple of months is behind us. However, it may take time for the largest pain point to be over: refinery maintenance. The next few weeks should see many refineries wrapping up their work and gasoline output should rise, putting downward pressure on gasoline prices soon,” said Patrick De Haan, head of petroleum analysis at GasBuddy. “While Israel’s retribution on Iran was somewhat surprising, it was also measured, with Iran virtually not even mentioning it publicly. As such, the price of oil has moved slightly lower, following the de-escalation that now appears to be taking place. I’m hopeful with reduced concern in the Middle East and an end to the seasonal factors pushing prices up that Americans will soon see relief.”

The most common U.S. gas price encountered by motorists stood at $3.59 per gallon, up 20 cents from last week, followed by $3.39, $3.29, $3.49, and $3.69 rounding out the top five most common prices.  The median U.S. gas price is $3.49 per gallon, up 10 cents from last week and about 15 cents lower than the national average. The top 10% of stations in the country average $5.12 per gallon, while the bottom 10% average $3.02 per gallon. The states with the lowest average prices: Mississippi ($3.06), Louisiana ($3.11), Colorado ($3.14).  The states with the highest average prices: California ($5.40), Hawaii ($4.72), and Washington ($4.62).

See previous gas price reports here

In the Baltimore metro area, the cheapest gas this week could be found at the following locations:

Photo via Pixabay