Fuel prices in Georgia moved higher this week, pushing the statewide average to $2.72 per gallon as of Monday, though drivers could still see day-to-day swings at the pump. AAA-The Auto Club Group says rising oil costs and the start of seasonal refinery maintenance are tightening supplies and nudging prices upward, even as winter weather has kept demand somewhat lower.

“Gas prices are creeping up as oil gets more expensive and refineries head into their spring maintenance routine,” said Montrae Waiters, spokeswoman for AAA-The Auto Club Group. “Even though winter weather has kept demand a bit lower, tighter supplies are still nudging prices higher, and while we don’t know when they’ll ease, they’re still well below where they were at this time last year.”

Compared to recent benchmarks, Georgia’s average is 6 cents higher than last week, 7 cents higher than last month, and 28 cents lower than this time last year. For a typical 15-gallon fill-up, the statewide average works out to about $40.80.

Nationally, the average for regular gas also ticked up slightly to $2.92 per gallon, but that remains well below the $3.16 national average seen this time last year. Analysts point to increasing crude oil prices and refinery maintenance as factors that could continue to keep pressure on prices in the near term.

Across the state, Atlanta averaged $2.73. The most expensive metro markets in Georgia were Savannah at $2.80, Hinesville–Fort Stewart at $2.75, and Macon at $2.74. The least expensive metro markets were Augusta–Aiken at $2.64, Rome at $2.63, and Catoosa–Dade–Walker at $2.62. Locally, averages as of Monday included Chattooga at $2.63, Floyd at $2.63, Walker at $2.60, and Gordon at $2.67, with nearby Alabama averages including DeKalb at $2.59 and Cherokee at $2.64.