Georgia motorists are starting the shortened work week with gasoline prices still well above where they were a year ago.

According to AAA – The Auto Club Group, Georgia’s statewide average for regular gasoline is $3.89 per gallon. That’s 11 cents higher than last week, seven cents higher than a month ago and 98 cents higher than this time last year.

AAA says elevated crude oil prices and strong travel demand over the Labor Day weekend helped push fuel costs higher.

At the current statewide average, filling a standard 15-gallon tank costs about $58.35.

Here in Northwest Georgia, prices are running a little lower than the state average in several counties.

Chattooga County is averaging $3.82 per gallon, the same as Floyd County at $3.82. Walker County and Gordon County are both averaging $3.87 per gallon.

Across the state line in Northeast Alabama, prices are lower. DeKalb County is averaging $3.78 per gallon, while Cherokee County is averaging $3.72 per gallon.

AAA’s metro figures also show the Rome market at $3.82 per gallon, placing it among the least expensive metro markets in Georgia. The Catoosa-Dade-Walker market is averaging $3.83.

Nationally, the average price for regular gasoline is $4.14 per gallon, seven cents higher than a week ago. AAA says crude oil prices above $90 per barrel continue to put pressure on prices nationwide.

For local motorists, Chattooga County’s $3.82 average is seven cents below the Georgia average, while Northeast Alabama continues to offer some of the lower prices in the immediate region.