U.S. Gas Prices Jump 10 Cents in One Week

April 9, 2007 — -- The nation's drivers are taking another beating at the pump as gasoline prices jump to within 27 cents of an all-time high.

The retail price of a gallon of regular unleaded fuel rose another dime in the past week, according to a new government report. The average price of a gallon is now $2.80 nationwide -- closing in on the $3.07 all-time nominal high price.

This marks the 10th week in a row in which gas prices have risen. The run has added 64 cents to the average price for consumers in just 2½ months.

Gas prices today are 4.4 percent higher than a year ago, when they averaged $2.68 a gallon.

Drivers in California are paying the most, at $3.25, while residents of the Gulf Coast pay the least, at $2.68. The Gulf Coast is the only area of the country where drivers are paying less today than they were a year ago.

Crude oil prices -- which have been driving the rapid rise in gas -- actually eased Monday as tension over the Iran-Britain hostage situation dissipated. The price of a barrel of light, sweet crude fell $2.77 to $61.51 in trading today.