(The Center Square) – The price of regular unleaded gas in Arkansas rose by 10 cents over last week’s price to average at $2.77, according to the AAA Arkansas Weekend Gas Watch.
Texarkana drivers are paying the highest average among major metropolitan areas with an average price of $2.91 per gallon of unleaded fuel, while Fort Smith, with an average of $2.70, has the least expensive fuel price.
Commuters in Fayetteville-Springdale-Rogers saw the price increase by 18 cents per gallon, the highest of all the metropolitan areas.
Across the country an increase in the demand for fuel has been reported by the Energy Information Administration (EIA). “U.S. crude oil imports averaged 5.6 million barrels per day last week, increased by 25 thousand barrels per day from the previous week,” EIA said.
The National average price increased by 5 cents from a week ago to $3.15 per gallon.
“All signs in the oil and gas industry – supply, demand, and crude oil – currently point to higher fuel prices for drivers,” said AAA spokesperson Nick Chabarria. “As long as these factors remain unchanged, particularly higher crude oil prices, drivers can expect to pay more when filling up.”