Gas prices jump across state over past week

Average retail gasoline prices in Nebraska have risen 7.6 cents per gallon in the past week, averaging $2.54 per gallon Sunday, according to GasBuddy’s daily survey of 1,150 gas outlets in Nebraska. This compares with the national average that has increased 4 cents per gallon in the last week to $2.66 per gallon, according to gasoline price website GasBuddy.com.

Including the change in gas prices in Nebraska during the past week, prices Sunday were 91.6 cents per gallon lower than the same day one year ago and are 19.3 cents per gallon higher than a month ago. The national average has increased 26.9 cents per gallon during the last month and stands 99.4 cents per gallon lower than this day one year ago.

“The rapid rise we’ve seen in the national average over the last several weeks appears to be slowing,” said Patrick DeHaan, GasBuddy senior petroleum analyst. “The rise in crude oil prices have been the largest explanation for the rise in gasoline prices over the past few weeks, though the increase has been enhanced in the west by refinery problems – which still pose a threat to that market. For the rest of the nation, gasoline prices may begin to decline as crude oil prices have begun dropping, and stood some $4-barrel off recent highs as of late last week.”.

Monthly comparisons show all 50 states seeing higher prices than they stood four weeks ago, with the largest jumps taking place in California, Nevada, Utah, Arizona and New Jersey, where prices jumped by more than 30 cents a gallon.

Meanwhile, all 50 states still stand lower today than a year ago, with the biggest drops in Ohio, Michigan and Kentucky, where prices stand over $1.15 per gallon lower. Meanwhile, the smallest drops versus a year ago can be found in California, Nevada and Utah, where prices are 48-65 cents lower than last year.