Much of the country has seen drastic increases in fuel pricing over the past week.
Fuel prices are back on the rise as the summer driving season winds down and autumn is on the horizon.
According to the latest AAA Fuel Gauge, fuel prices have risen for each of the past 14 days, bringing the national average price for regular unleaded gasoline to $2.22 per gallon, a six cent increase over one week ago. However, despite these increases, drivers are still saving 27 cents per gallon over this date last year, and consumers remain on track to pay the lowest Labor Day fuel prices since 2004.
Even as prices are on the rise, a AAA survey has revealed that 55% of Americans are more likely to take a road trip this year thanks to the still relatively low fuel prices.
The recent increase in average fuel prices is being attributed to higher crude oil prices, refinery issues in the Gulf Coast and tropical weather threats as a storm system moves towards the Gulf, AAA reported.
This week, only three states are still reporting average fuel prices below $2 per gallon. They are South Carolina ($1.95), Alabama ($1.98) and Mississippi ($1.996), AAA reported.
Many states around the country have seen some drastic price increases, specifically in the Great Lakes region, the Rockies, central and southern states. According to AAA, Florida has seen the largest increase, with prices rising 13 cents per gallon on the week, followed by Tennessee and Georgia, where prices increased by nine cents.
