WASHINGTON (TND) — Summer is around the corner and if you plan to travel by car, you may notice higher prices at the pump.

According to data from AAA, the national average gas price as of May 1 is $3.66 per gallon.

The national average is about 12 cents higher than a month ago and five cents higher than this time last year. But, prices are relatively low compared to surges in 2022 and 2023. For example, on June 16, 2022, prices were $5.02 per gallon.

However, in some states, prices have hit roughly $5 per gallon. In Seattle, for example, prices are $4.91, which is higher than the national average and Washington state’s average of $4.69.

Gas costs more than $4 per gallon in seven states. California has the highest gas prices at an average of $5.39 per gallon, followed by Hawaii at $4.81, Washington at $4.69, Nevada at $4.56 and Oregon at $4.51.

Meanwhile, 35 states are seeing prices lower than the national average. Mississippi has the lowest prices at $3.11 per gallon, followed by Oklahoma at $3.18, Arkansas at $3.19, Colorado at $3.19 and Louisiana at $3.21.

Gas prices tend to rise in the spring and summer months because people start to travel more during the warmer months, which means an increase in demand. Also, gas stations switch to their summer-grade fuel, which is more expensive to produce and therefore drives up prices.

ncG1vNJzZmivp6x7uLbAnKuvZpOkunC6xLCqaKaRqbawuoywpquklGTBprnPnqmarKWnsrR50aKqnmWjqrqusdFmnpqrXaW%2Fqq%2FErGSgmaOkuaq6xGaZpZ2emXqovsCdnGasopbDpriMr5icmaSevK95xpqjpaeeYq6irYynmK2hn6OurXnAr5yrmZeaerTAwK2cZpqpYsC1rdOeZKmtnaV6pLvSrWSippahrrW1zqdknpufo7yuxQ%3D%3D