Gas prices are mostly climbing around the country. After rising 6 cents in the past week, Tennessee gas prices averaged $2.14 on Sunday. Here in the 'Boro, one discounter started the week at $2.02 per gallon, and a few were at $2.04.

Last month, Tennessee gas prices averaged $2.03 per gallon; 4 cents more than the average in July 2016. Nationwide, gas prices averaged $2.27 - 6 cents more than July 2016.

• The most expensive gas price averages in Tennessee are in Memphis ($2.19), Nashville ($2.15), and Knoxville ($2.14)
• The least expensive gas price averages in Tennessee are in Clarksville-Hopkinsville ($2.06), Chattanooga ($2.07), and Johnson City-Kingsport-Bristol ($2.08)

"Motorists are now finding gas prices that are about 25 cents more expensive than this time last year," said Mark Jenkins, spokesman, AAA - The Auto Club Group. "Although gasoline demand is keeping pace with last year's levels, oil prices are making the biggest difference in prices at the pump. Steady declines in crude supplies have pushed oil prices about $10 per barrel higher than last year, making it more expensive to produce gasoline."

Last week's EIA report showed record-high gasoline demand. In addition, crude supplies declined for the fifth consecutive week. The five-week trend is giving greater confidence to investors. However, their excitement is tempered as total crude storage 70 million barrels above the 5-year average. This, combined with continuously high domestic crude oil output, it is still clear that the glut of crude will not disappear easily. Because of this, oil and gasoline prices are still forecast to retreat after the summer driving season draws to a close.

Crude oil prices surpassed $50 per barrel last week for the first time since May 24. During that time, gas prices were at about the same level as they are now. Although pump prices could see additional upward movement in the coming weeks, any significant gains would not come without further growth in oil prices, a hurricane in the Gulf of Mexico or some sort of interruption in fuel supply.

Gas Price Tools for Reporters/Consumers

• GasPrices.AAA.com - Daily national, state, and metro gas price averages.
• AAA Mobile app - Free app that shows current prices at a gas station near you.

CURRENT AND PAST PRICE AVERAGES

Regular Unleaded Gasoline

	Sunday	Saturday	Week Ago	Month Ago	One Year Ago	Highest Price on Record
National	$2.346	$2.346	$2.313	$2.242	$2.124	$4.114 (7/17/2008)
Florida	$2.286	$2.288	$2.291	$2.144	$2.053	$4.079 (7/17/2008)
Georgia	$2.233	$2.231	$2.180	$2.089	$1.978	$4.164 (9/15/2008)
Tennessee	$2.142	$2.139	$2.083	$1.997	$1.885	$4.118 (9/15/2008)