The national average price for a gallon of gas in the United States, mirroring crude oil prices, has risen at the fastest seasonal rate since 2012, AAA said.
AAA reports a national average retail price for a gallon of regular unleaded gasoline at $2.60 for Friday, the first day of May. That's up two cents, or three quarters of a percent, from Thursday and 57 cents, or 28 percent, higher than in late January.
AAA spokesman Avery Ash said that, while it's normal for gasoline prices to climb as summer approaches, the rate of increase is faster than in the past. The national average price for Friday is the highest since Dec. 12 and has increased at the fastest rate since late 2012.
"Gas prices have climbed to the highest levels of the year due largely to rising crude oil costs," he said in a statement.
Brent crude oil prices increased 20 percent in April to settle above the $66 per barrel mark. Retail gasoline prices increased 8.3 percent during the same time and have increased for 17 consecutive days.
Gasoline prices normally rise during the spring as refineries conduct seasonal maintenance and shift toward producing a summer blend of gasoline, which because of additional environmental safeguards, is more expensive to produce.
Despite the recent spike, gasoline prices finished April at the lowest national average since 2009. This time last year, drivers were paying $3.69 per gallon.
"AAA does not expect the national average price of gas to rise above $3 per gallon this summer, but it is unclear whether consumers will pay more or less than today in the coming months," the motor club said.
