TAMPA, Fla. (Dec. 27, 2012) – After a steady decline since November, retail gas prices have inched back up as 2012 comes to an end. The past two years reflected the same trend, with gas prices dipping in early to mid December, only to increase before January 1.

Aside from the slight increase in pump prices from last week, 2012’s annual average is a record-breaking year. So far, this year’s average for a gallon of regular retail gasoline is $3.61, 10 cents more than the annual average in 2011. Price trends were also off from the norm this year, with gas prices peaking in April and hitting bottom during the first week of July.

"Gas prices are doing exactly what was expected, closing out the year on an upswing,” said Jessica Brady, AAA spokeswoman, The Auto Club Group. "Motorists could very likely see pump prices increase into mid January before starting to retreat again. This year, much like 2011, was a volatile year for both oil and gas prices with some unexpected trends. Next year could be very similar in terms of volatility and unconventional trends.”

A barrel of oil is currently trading around $90 on the New York Mercantile Exchange.

The national average price of regular unleaded gasoline is $3.25, 2 cents more than last week. Florida’s average of $3.29, Georgia’s average of $3.19, and Tennessee’s average of $3.07 all increased 4 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-$3.247

Last week-$3.226

Last month-$3.423

Last year-$3.231

Florida:

Current-$3.290

Last week-$3.250

Last month-$3.387

Last year-$3.249

Georgia:

Current-$3.189

Last week-$3.153

Last month-$3.282

Last year-$3.118

Tennessee:

Current-$3.074

Last week-$3.028

Last month-$3.170

Last year-$3.056