(GasBuddy) The nation’s average price of gasoline has risen for the second straight week, increasing 2.7 cents compared to a week ago and stands at $3.11 per gallon, according to GasBuddy® data compiled from more than 12 million individual price reports covering over 150,000 gas stations across t he country. The national average is up 2.2 cents from a month ago and is 39.7 cents per gallon lower than a year ago. The national average price of diesel has increased 0.9 cents in the last week and stands at $3.558 per gallon. “We’ve seen the national average inch up for the second straight week, but with renewed refinery issues on the West Coast, gas prices there are likely to jump 10-35 cents per gallon over the next couple weeks. Meanwhile, motorists in the Northeast should consider filling up soon, as the final step in the transition to summer gasoline is just a couple of weeks away— and with it, a likely increase in prices,” said Patrick De Haan, head of petroleum analysis at GasBuddy. “As we head into April, Americans should expect gas prices to rise, with a peak that could occur in mid-to-late April. While average prices remain well below last year’s levels, we’ll likely begin to catch up, with prices expected to increase in most — if not all —states over the next few weeks. Continued uncertainty around whether tariffs will be implemented on April 2 could also impact pump prices, setting the stage for a volatile period for American drivers.” OIL PRICES With President Trump promising the potential of secondary tariffs on Russian oil as the Kremlin has been avoiding a deal on a ceasefire, oil prices were up slightly in early Monday trade, even against a backdrop of tariffs that are likely to be more aggressive than anticipated come April 2. WTI crude was last up 21 cents to $69.57 per barrel, up from $68.62 a week ago, while Brent crude was up 50 cents per barrel to $74.13, up from last week’s $72.51 per barrel level. While worries are significant that the global economy may slow with a looming and developing trade war, new sanctions on Iran, Venezuela, and potentially Russia have kept oil prices from falling more substantially. OIL AND REFINED PRODUCTS The EIA’s Weekly Petroleum Status Report for the week ending March 21, 2025, showed U.S. oil inventories fell by 3.3 million barrels, about 5% below the seasonal average for this time of year, while the SPR rose 300,000 barrels to 396.1 million. Gasoline inventories fell by 1.4 million barrels, 2% above the five-year seasonal average, while distillate inventories fell 400,000 barrels and are about 7% below the five-year seasonal average. Refinery utilization rose 0.1 percentage point to 87.0% as refineries continue maintenance, while implied gasoline demand, EIA’s proxy for retail demand, fell 174,000bpd to 8.643 million, a relatively soft level. GAS PRICE TRENDS The most common U.S. gas price encountered by motorists stood at $2.99 per gallon, unchanged from last week, followed by $2.89, $3.09, $2.79, and $3.19, rounding out the top five most common prices. The median U.S. gas price is $2.99 per gallon, up 3 cents from last week and about 12 cents lower than the national average. The top 10% of stations in the country average $4.46 per gallon, while the bottom 10% average $2.58 per gallon. The states with the lowest average prices: Oklahoma ($2.64), Mississippi ($2.66), Tennessee ($2.70). The states with the highest average prices: California ($4.71), Hawaii ($4.41), and Washington ($4.10). Biggest weekly changes: Maryland (+14.9¢), California (+12.4¢), Florida (+11.6¢), South Dakota (+11.6¢), Kentucky (+11.1¢) DIESEL PRICE TRENDS The most common U.S. diesel price stood at $3.49 per gallon, 10 cents lower than last week, followed by $3.59, $3.29, $3.69, and $3.39, rounding out the top five most common prices. The median U.S. diesel price is $3.49 per gallon, up 4 cents from last week and about 7 cents lower than the national average. Diesel prices at the top 10% of stations in the country average $4.54 per gallon, while the bottom 10% average $2.96 per gallon. The states with the lowest average diesel prices: Texas ($3.10), Oklahoma ($3.11), and Louisiana ($3.19). The states with the highest average diesel prices: Hawaii ($5.22), California ($4.95), and Washington ($4.38). Biggest weekly changes: Iowa (+11.5¢), South Dakota (+10.6¢), Delaware (+7.8¢), Maryland (+5.9¢), North Carolina (+5.8¢). ...read more read less