Gas prices inch up in Bradenton-Sarasota

MANATEE -- Gasoline prices in Bradenton-Sarasota have risen 0.6 cents per gallon in the past week, averaging $1.68 a gallon yesterday. But prices jumped almost 4 cents a gallon across the nation.

According to GasBuddy's daily survey of 308 area gas outlets, prices were 75.1 cents per gallon lower than the same day one year ago and are 11.0 cents per gallon lower than a month ago in the Bradenton area.

This compares with the national average that has increased 3.7 cents per gallon in the last week to $1.74 a gallon, according to gasoline price website GasBuddy.com.

That's still down 6.5 cents per gallon during the last month and 65.1 cents per gallon lower than this day one year ago.

Statewide, prices averaged $1.73 a gallon, flat from a week ago.

"We knew it was inevitable. The eight-month decline in prices at the pump that brought the national average as low as $1.67 has come to an end," said Gregg Laskoski, senior petroleum analyst for GasBuddy. "The 'plateau' or pause in price movement is now behind us as we've had a full week in which the national average has climbed steadily."

As expected, this is the beginning of the seasonal price climb, he said, adding, "We'll have to wait and see if last week's rally for crude gains momentum to underscore the trend."

This story was originally published February 29, 2016 at 9:41 AM with the headline "Gas prices inch up in Bradenton-Sarasota ."