TAMPA, Fla. (August 19, 2012) — Both the price of oil and retail gasoline increased again last week. Motorists now pay more for a gallon of gas than they did this time last summer.

Threats of violence continue to cause concerns of a supply disruption in the Middle East. Tensions between Iran, Israel and the U.S. escalated last week, resulting in higher oil prices. A larger than expected increase in consumer sentiment reported by the Thomson Reuters/University of Michigan index also led to the increase in oil prices. A barrel of oil settled Friday at $96.01 on the New York Mercantile Exchange—$3.14 more than the week prior.

"Last minute summer travelers will need to increase their transportation budget, since gas prices are forecast to rise throughout the month," said Jessica Brady, AAA spokeswoman, The Auto Club Group. "Motorists have seen gas prices climb since July 1, and are now paying more for a gallon than they did this time last year."

The national average price of regular unleaded gasoline is $3.72, a 3-cent increase from a week ago today. Tennessee’s average of $3.50 also increased 3 cents from last week. Florida’s average of $3.66 rose 2 cents, while Georgia’s average of $3.64 jumped 7 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-$3.720

Last week-$3.692

Last month-$3.447

Last year-$3.585

Florida:

Current-$3.659

Last week-$3.636

Last month-$3.369

Last year-$3.580

Georgia:

Current-$3.643

Last week-$3.573

Last month-$3.333

Last year-$3.522

Tennessee:

Current-$3.496

Last week-$3.470

Last month-$3.199

Last year$3.445