The AAA national average gas price increased 0.9 cents to $3.203 last week. This is up 6.6 cents from a month ago but down -1.1 cents from a year ago.

• Pacific Northwest drivers, who already pay some of the highest gas prices in the country, saw their state averages surge this past week. A pipeline outage caused a spike in fuel prices in Oregon and Washington. Up until today, Washington was the state with the most expensive gas for several days, surpassing California which is bracing for hikes of its own. Refinery maintenance this fall is expected to lead to decreased production and higher gas prices in the Golden State. Meanwhile, the national average for a gallon of regular went up a penny since last week to $3.20. Even though West Coast drivers are feeling pain at the pump, prices remain relatively low in the Plains and the South.