Gas prices continue to rise

Average retail gasoline prices in Nebraska have risen 14.1 cents per gallon in the past week, averaging $1.81 per gallon yesterday, according to GasBuddy’s daily survey of 1,150 gas outlets in Nebraska. This compares with the national average that has increased 3.7 cents per gallon in the last week to $1.74 per gallon, according to gasoline price website GasBuddy.com.

Including the change in gas prices in Nebraska during the past week, prices yesterday were 51 cents per gallon lower than the same day one year ago and are 0.9 cents per gallon higher than a month ago. The national average has decreased 6.5 cents per gallon during the last month and stands 65.1 cents per gallon lower than this day one year ago.

According to GasBuddy historical data, gasoline prices on Feb. 29 in Nebraska have ranged widely over the last five years: $2.32 per gallon in 2015, $3.41 per gallon in 2014, $3.74 per gallon in 2013, $3.68 per gallon in 2012 and $3.41 per gallon in 2011.

Areas nearby Nebraska and their current gas price climate:

Lincoln - $1.87 per gallon, up 15 cents per gallon from last week’s $1.72 per gallon.

South Dakota - $1.79 per gallon, up 8.8 cents per gallon from last week’s $1.70 p0er gallon.

Omaha - $1.75 per gallon, up 14.9 cents per gallon from last week’s $1.61 per gallon.

“We knew it was inevitable. The 8-month decline in prices at the pump that brought the national average as low as $1.67 has come to an end,” said Gregg Laskoski, senior petroleum analyst for GasBuddy. “The ‘plateau’ or pause in price movement is now behind us as we’ve had a full week in which the national average has climbed steadily. Some areas such as Southern California are weathering significantly higher increases as their refineries transition earlier from ‘winter blend’ to ‘summer blend’ production while Great Lakes states suffer from refinery run cuts. As expected, this is the beginning of the seasonal price climb and we’ll have to wait and see if last week’s rally for crude gains momentum to underscore the trend.”

For live fuel price averages, visit http://media.gasbuddy.com.