It has been a year since coronavirus lockdowns started in the United States. When lockdowns first started, travel came to a screeching halt. We remember pictures of empty freeways and airplanes with only one passenger.

After a year of lockdowns and with three new COVID-19 vaccines available, many Americans are starting to get out more. Even if they’re still working remotely and even if the kids are still going to school remotely, many aren’t staying home nearly as much as they were a year ago. GasBuddy analyst Patrick DeHaan believes that the demand for gas could be almost normal again by summer 2021.

With the increase in demand for gas at the pump, the price of gas has been rising too. You might notice a huge increase since last year when the prices were low due to low demand yet there was nowhere to go. In fact, gas prices are on average 40 cents higher than they were a year ago.

According to AAA, the current national average price of gas is $2.796. The exact price varies from state to state. Currently, the highest prices are in California where residents are paying approximately $3.763 per gallon. Meanwhile, Louisiana currently has the lowest prices at $2.466 per gallon.

Look at the map below to get an idea of where gas prices are currently the highest and the lowest nationwide.

AAA reports that gas prices have gone up a nickel in the past week. That may not sound like a whole lot, but it adds up quickly. Gas prices have gone up an average of 31 cents in the past month.

Why are prices increasing at the pump? It’s partly due to an increase in crude oil prices. AAA spokesperson Jeanette McGee explained, “With crude oil prices back on the rise, we could see the national average climb towards $2.90 this spring with some relief by early summer. The last time we saw the national average flirt with $3 was nearly three years ago in May 2018. At that time, crude was averaging about $71 per barrel.”

According to DeHann, the increase in prices is partly due to the fact that the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) refuses to open “the spigot.” With oil production down and demand up, DeHann believes gas prices will jump to an average of $3 by this summer.

How much are you paying for gas where you live? Did you realize gas prices had increased so much recently? Will increasing gas prices effect whether or not you travel this summer? Have you been driving more recently than you were this time last year?