Average retail gasoline prices in Chattanooga have risen 8.4 cents per gallon in the past week, averaging $3.33 per gallon on Sunday, according to GasBuddy's daily survey of 170 gas outlets in Chattanooga. This compares with the national average that has increased 1.8 cents per gallon in the last week to $3.53 per gallon, according to gasoline price website GasBuddy.com.
Including the change in gas prices in Chattanooga during the past week, prices on Sunday were 4.9 cents per gallon lower than the same day one year ago and are 17.6 cents per gallon higher than a month ago.
The national average has increased 9.2 cents per gallon during the last month and stands 8.3 cents per gallon lower than this day one year ago.
"Another week, another rise in the national average," said GasBuddy.com Senior Petroleum Analyst Patrick DeHaan. "While gasoline prices have seen slight increases in the last week, it still may get worse. Last week, the EIA reported a large drop in gasoline inventories as refiners purged supplies of winter spec gasoline. Refineries also utilized a lower amount of their capacity as maintenance season continues. In the next few weeks as maintenance is finished, there could be localized price spikes. While gasoline prices are lower than I would have expected a few months ago, there is still some risk for higher prices in the days ahead."