Drivers in Chattooga County and surrounding Northwest Georgia and Northeast Alabama counties are seeing gas prices rise this week as global and seasonal factors push fuel costs higher.

On Thursday, gas prices in Chattooga County were hovering around $3 per gallon, with the lowest price reported at $2.99 and the highest around $3.09, according to GasBuddy.com.

The increase is also being felt across Floyd, Walker, and Gordon counties in Georgia, as well as Cherokee and DeKalb counties in Alabama, where many stations have also seen prices climb in recent days to well over $3 per gallon. Analysts say part of the increase is due to the seasonal transition to more expensive summer gasoline blends, along with refinery maintenance that can tighten fuel supplies this time of year.

Another factor influencing the market is rising global oil prices linked to tensions involving Iran, which has created uncertainty in energy markets and pushed crude oil costs higher. Because crude oil accounts for a large portion of gasoline prices, increases in oil prices often lead to higher costs at the pump.

As warmer weather approaches and travel demand begins to increase, drivers across the region may continue to see price fluctuations at the pump in the coming weeks.

Motorists are encouraged to shop around, use loyalty programs if available, and consider filling up earlier in the week when prices sometimes run a little lower.