It now costs motorists $59.70 to fill a 15-gallon tank of regular gasoline.

“Georgia statewide pump price average continues upward climb,” said Montrae Waiters, AAA-The Auto Club Group spokeswoman. “Unfortunately, crude oil prices remain above $105 a barrel, causing gas prices to rise higher this week.”

Volatile Crude Oil Prices Continue to Drive Gas Prices

Since last Monday, the national average for a gallon of regular gasoline has increased by 16 cents to $4.47. According to data from the Energy Information Administration (EIA), total domestic gasoline stocks decreased by 3.6 million barrels to 225 million barrels last week. At the close of last Wednesday’s formal trading session, WTI increased by $5.95 to settle at $105.71. The price of crude oil slid below $100 per barrel due to global market concern that crude demand will suffer as COVID lockdowns in China remain in place. However, crude prices reversed course because of growing market worries that Ukrainian and European Union actions against Russian oil-and-natural gas companies could spark retaliation by Russia, which lead to more market disruption and uncertainty.