After little-to-no change in gas prices over the past three, weeks, local gas prices jumped four cents to $3.77 this week, according to AAA East Central.

The average price for a gallon of gas in Lockport was $3.77 as of Tuesday, up from $3.73 a week ago and a half penny higher than this time a year ago, the automobile association said.

The national average price at the pump is $3.64 per gallon, six cents more expensive than one week ago, 13 cents more than one month ago, and 12 cents more per gallon than the same date last year.

On April 9, for the first time since January 17, the national average registered higher than the same date the year prior. Motorists in the majority of states are now paying a year-over-year premium. The most dramatic premiums are in and around the Midwest, where drivers in four states pay an average price more than 20 cents per gallon above this date last year: Illinois +23 cents; Kentucky +25 cents; Ohio +28 cents; and Indiana +29 cents.

Each spring refiners are required to switch to producing summer-blend gasoline by May 1. Refineries tend to drawdown their supplies of gasoline at this time of year so as not to be left with winter-blend fuel that they can no longer sell after May 1. This has been on display in recent weeks, as gasoline stocks nationwide have tightened.

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