Georgia drivers are paying more at the pump again this week, as rising crude oil prices continue to push fuel costs higher across the state.

The average price for a gallon of regular gasoline in Georgia climbed to $3.69, up 18 cents from last week, $1.00 higher than last month, and 76 cents above this time last year. At that price, filling a standard 15-gallon tank now costs about $55.35.

AAA – The Auto Club Group says the increase is being driven largely by higher oil prices, along with growing seasonal demand and the arrival of the more expensive summer gasoline blend.

“Drivers are continuing to see higher prices at the pump, largely due to rising crude oil costs,” said Montrae Waiters, spokeswoman for AAA – The Auto Club Group. “With oil prices remaining elevated, seasonal demand increasing as spring gets underway, and a more expensive summer gasoline blend coming online, gas prices are likely to stay under pressure in the near term.”

Nationally, the average price for regular gas also moved higher over the past week, rising nearly 25 cents to $3.94 per gallon. Even with the White House announcing a release of 172 million barrels of oil from the nation’s reserves over a four-month period, there has been no immediate relief at the pump as crude prices continue climbing.

For electric vehicle drivers, the national average cost at a public charging station remained unchanged at 41 cents per kilowatt hour.

In Georgia, the most expensive metro markets were Athens at $3.77, Atlanta at $3.76, and Gainesville at $3.72. The least expensive metro markets were Hinesville-Fort Stewart at $3.56, Brunswick at $3.53, and Albany at $3.50.

Closer to northwest Georgia, prices on Monday averaged $3.58 in Chattooga County, $3.59 in Floyd County, $3.63 in Walker County, and $3.67 in Gordon County. Across the state line in Alabama, averages were $3.62 in DeKalb County and $3.61 in Cherokee County.