New Jersey Gas Prices Up Slightly

Motorists continue to see slightly higher prices at the pumps in New Jersey with increases expected to continue to April.

AAA Mid-Atlantic says the average price of a gallon of regular gasoline in New Jersey on Friday was $3.57, up a penny from last week. That's also slightly higher than the price from a year ago, when motorists were paying $3.50.

Meanwhile, the national average price rose 7 cents to $3.64. That's also higher than the national average from a year ago, when motorists were paying $3.52.

Analysts say the higher gas prices are due to rising crude oil prices and increased demand spurred by improving economic data in the United States. They also note some refineries across the U.S. have been shutting down for maintenance in recent weeks and getting ready for a switch to summer blends which has temporarily reduced gas supplies

However, as these issues are addressed, AAA expects the increases to slow. The national average is likely to increase through April, predicts AAA, peaking this spring at a lower  price than in 2011 ($3.98 on May 5) and 2012 ($3.94 on April 5 and 6).”