Minnesota gas prices up more than $1 from last year

That’s $1.17 cents a gallon higher than a year ago. Minnesota prices have risen 22.1 cents per gallon in just the last month.

At the same time, prices are rising across the country, topping $4 a gallon for the national average, also more than a dollar from a year ago.

“Average gasoline prices climbed back above $4 per gallon over the last week, with prices rising in slightly more states than they fell, as rebounding oil prices driven by the continued closure of the Strait of Hormuz and ongoing Ukrainian attacks on Russian oil refineries kept upward pressure on the market,” said Patrick De Haan, head of petroleum analysis at the website, GasBuddy. “While the seasonal transition to cheaper winter-blend gasoline in the coming month could bring some relief, the two dominant challenges facing motorists – the closed Strait and the ongoing refinery strikes – show no signs of resolving anytime soon. Until they do, the path for gas and diesel prices remains tilted to the upside.”

Minnesota averages $4.11 a gallon, compared to the national average of $4.07. Minnesota is the 17th most expensive state for gas in the country. The highest price on record for Minnesota was $4.76 recorded in June 2022, GasBuddy said.

Louisiana, South Carolina and Alabama had the lowest averages with California, ($5.56), Hawaii ($5.43), and Washington with the highest.

The American Automobile Association had a similar outlook for fuel prices.

“Drivers are seeing some relief at the pump as earlier declines in crude oil prices filter through the market,” AAA spokeswoman Montrae Waiters said in a statement. “However, ongoing uncertainty surrounding global oil supplies could shift the trend and put upward pressure on gas prices in the coming weeks.”