TAMPA, Fla. (August 12, 2012) – Retail gas prices jumped again as last minute travelers close out the summer driving season.

Gas prices in the Southeast reached year-ago levels and the national average for regular retail gasoline is 8 cents more than a year ago today.

Last week an unexpected refinery fire in California and a pipeline leak in the Midwest caused retail gas prices to spike. In addition, the price of crude oil continues to trade at more than $90 a barrel.

“So much occurred in the last couple of weeks that has led to current pump prices,” said Jessica Brady, AAA spokeswoman, The Auto Club Group. “Elevated oil prices, domestic supply disruptions, tropical storms and more have led to the spike at the pump and it looks as though prices will continue to increase throughout the month. Hopefully, retail prices will drop after the Labor Day holiday when demand tends to fall and we switch to a cheaper fuel blend.”

A barrel of oil settled Friday at $92.87 on the New York Mercantile Exchange—$1.47 more than the week prior.

The national average price of regular unleaded gasoline is $3.69, an 8-cent increase from a week ago today. Tennessee’s average of $3.47 also increased 8 cents from last week. Florida’s average of $3.64 jump 11 cents and Georgia’s average of $3.57 rose 9 cents from last week, respectively. Visit AAA’s Daily Fuel Gauge Report to find national, state, and local metro market retail gasoline prices.

Current and past gas price averages: National:

Current-$3.692

Last week-$3.610

Last month-$3.388

Last year-$3.606

Florida:

Current-$3.636

Last week-$3.534

Last month-$3.285

Last year-$3.627

Georgia:

Current-$3.573

Last week-$3.483

Last month-$3.261

Last year-$3.581

Tennessee:

Current-$3.470

Last week-$3.392

Last month-$3.118

Last year-$3.496