Gas prices in Nebraska continue to climb

Average retail gasoline prices in Nebraska have risen 5.3 cents per gallon in the past week, averaging $2.18 per gallon on Sunday, according to GasBuddy’s daily survey of 1,150 gas outlets in Nebraska.

This compares with the national average that has increased 7.6 cents per gallon in the last week to $2.25 per gallon, according to gasoline price website GasBuddy.com.

Including the change in gas prices in Nebraska during the past week, prices Sunday were $1.07 per gallon lower than the same day one year ago and are 22.5 cents per gallon higher than a month ago. The national average has increased 17.5 cents per gallon during the last month and stands $1.10 per gallon lower than this day one year ago.

“Prices at the pump are starting to heat back up, mostly driven by a rebound in crude oil prices,” said Patrick DeHaan, senior petroleum analyst with GasBuddy. “Nationally, almost 9 in 10 stations is selling over $2 per gallon, while a month ago, less than half of stations were selling over that price – clearly we’re seeing the typical seasonal rebound in prices, being led higher by oil’s rebound, and soon to be enhanced further by refinery maintenance season – which hasn’t yet gotten well underway.

“Motorists in California are getting a taste of the sourness that will hit across the country in a month or two as Los Angeles switches over to cleaner burning gasoline, followed by San Francisco in short order, with the rest of the nation making moves in the weeks and months ahead,” DeHaan added. “I’m also starting to hear more frustration from motorists about rising prices – and while the concerns are well rooted, they should take solace that gas prices this summer are still expected to be some $1 per gallon lower than last summer.”

California, Arizona, Oregon, Florida and Washington saw the largest increases in the last week – all saw increases over 10 cents per gallon. The nation’s cheapest 5 percent of stations were selling Sunday at $1.92 per gallon, a jump from last month’s $1.68 per gallon.

Idaho Falls, Idaho, enjoyed the lowest gas prices, averaging $1.77 per gallon, while Kahului, Hawaii, saw the only average over $3 per gallon: $3.13.

Excluding Hawaii and Alaska, California cities took all 25 spots of the top 25 most expensive communities.