Gas prices top $3.80 a gallon

The national average price for a gallon of gasoline rose above the $3.80 mark Monday, resuming the advance that has plagued drivers throughout the winter. The average price rose nine-tenths of a cent, according to the survey of gas stations conducted for the motorist group AAA. It was the third straight advance, with prices gaining 3.4 cents a gallon over Saturday and Sunday. The nationwide average was $3.51 a gallon a month ago and $3.77 a week ago. Last year at this time, the average price stood at $3.56 a gallon. The average price is down 31.3 cents, or about 7.6%, from the record high of $4.114 reported on July 17, 2008. Gasoline averages more than $4 a gallon in four states: Alaska, California, Hawaii and Illinois. At nearly $4.44 a gallon, Hawaii ranks as the nation's high. Prices are within a nickel of the $4 mark in Connecticut, the District of Columbia, Michigan, Oregon, New York and Washington, according to AAA. Wyoming has the nation's lowest gas prices, averaging slightly above $3.30 a gallon. Gas prices have been rising on the back of soaring oil prices, which have surged 10% over the past month amid fears that tensions with Iran will lead to an all-out war that causes a disruption in oil supplies. Signs of an improving economy have also boosted oil prices, as has the stock market, which has approached multi-year highs in recent weeks. To top of page