Gas prices are climbing across the United States.

The average price of a gallon of gasoline is $3.72, up seven cents from a week ago, according to the U.S. Department of Energy.

The price of gas in California is still the highest. The average price of gas on the West Coast rose to $3.95, up 19 cents from the previous week.

Analysts expect West Coast gas prices to rise beyond $4 a gallon after a fire knocked out a key section of one of the nation's largest oil refineries, Chevron's Richmond, Calif., refinery.

"This is an important accident in its own right, it was a large fire and has the potential to affect fuel supplies and prices," said Dr. Daniel Horowitz, a member of the chemical board, told the Associated Press.

The Rocky Mountain region, according to the Department of Energy, saw a decline in the price of gasoline for the fourth consecutive week. The Gulf Coast saw an 8 cent decline in gas prices ending the week of Aug. 13, at $3.49.

The Associated Press contributed to this story.