AAA Mid-Atlantic: NJ Gas Prices Rise Sharply

Motorists are seeing sharply higher prices at the pumps in New Jersey.

AAA Mid-Atlantic says the average price of regular gasoline in New Jersey on Friday was $3.42, up 8 cents from last week. That’s also much higher than it was a year ago, when motorists were paying $3.05.

Meanwhile, the national average price rose 8 cents and is now $3.47. That’s also much higher than the national average from a year ago, which was $3.12.

The price boost marks the ninth straight week that gas prices have risen in New Jersey.

And analysts say prices will likely rise in coming months as the economy improves and as refineries crank up production of more expensive warm-weather gasoline blends.

(Copyright 2012 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)