Gas prices rise to highest level since last August

Average retail gasoline prices in Iowa have not moved in the past week, averaging $3.61 per gallon April 20, according to GasBuddy?s daily survey of 2,036 gas outlets in Iowa.

This compares with the national average that has increased 2.3 cents per gallon in the last week to $3.62 a gallon Sunday, according to gasoline price website GasBuddy.com.

Including the change in gas prices in Iowa during the past week, prices yesterday were 20.6 cents per gallon higher than the same day one year ago and are 8.3 cents per gallon higher than a month ago. The national average has increased 11.9 cents per gallon during the last month and stands 12.1 cents per gallon higher than this day one year ago.

?The national average now stands at its highest level since last August,? said GasBuddy.com Senior Petroleum Analyst Patrick DeHaan. ?The advance in prices has continued, with the worst jumps in areas of California, and southern states, where prices have increased anywhere from 15 to 30 cents per gallon in some cases.

?The increases will likely continue to persist, at worst for another month or so, but at best, we could see some relief arrive as soon as May rolls in,? DeHaan said.