(The Center Square) – Virginia gas prices climbed again Monday, with regular gasoline averaging $4.14 a gallon as drivers continue to feel the effects of higher oil prices and global supply concerns.
The statewide average was up nearly 18 cents from $3.97 a week ago, according to AAA. Regular gas averaged $3.79 a month ago and $2.98 a year ago. Virginia remained below the national average, which was about $4.32 Monday.
Diesel prices have climbed even faster.
Virginia’s diesel average reached $6.16 a gallon Monday, up from $5.94 a week ago and $5.48 a month ago. A year ago, diesel averaged $3.61 in the Commonwealth.
Several Virginia markets were also posting record diesel prices.
Fredericksburg averaged $6.19 a gallon for diesel, while the Virginia portion of the Washington metropolitan area was about $6.20.
Blacksburg-Christiansburg-Radford and Bristol-Scott-Washington were also above $6, according to AAA.
AAA said last week that the national average for regular gasoline was rising during a time of year when prices typically decline as summer travel demand eases.
The group pointed to rising crude oil prices and volatility around the Strait of Hormuz, which pushed crude back toward $100 per barrel for the first time since July.
Gasoline demand also declined despite the higher pump prices.
U.S. Energy Information Administration data show gasoline demand fell from 8.92 million barrels per day to 8.55 million for the week ending Sept. 4.
AAA reported domestic gasoline supplies increased during the same period from 205.7 million barrels to 206.9 million barrels.
GasBuddy reported Monday that gasoline and diesel prices increased in every state over the past week as geopolitical tensions and refinery disruptions continued to pressure fuel markets.
Nationally, GasBuddy put regular gasoline at about $4.25 a gallon, up 17 cents in a week, while diesel climbed more than 31 cents to about $6.18.
Patrick De Haan, GasBuddy’s head of petroleum analysis, cited tensions involving Iran, hostilities in the Red Sea and refinery disruptions among the factors driving prices higher.
GasBuddy said the switch to cheaper winter-blend gasoline could provide some seasonal relief, but continued geopolitical disruptions could keep prices volatile.
This post was originally published on The Center Square.
