AAA: Gas prices highest ever this time of year

According to AAA Chicago, January gas prices are the highest they've ever been this time of year.  In Allen County, Ind., self-serve regular unleaded gasoline averages $3.36 per gallon, which is an increase of 6 cents from December and $.26 higher than January 2011’s price.

GasBuddy reports that average retail gasoline prices in Fort Wayne have risen 23.7 cents per gallon in the past week, averaging $3.44 a gallon on Sunday, January 29, 2012. This compares with the national average that has increased 4.5 cents per gallon in the last week to $3.39 a gallon.

Including the change in gas prices in Fort Wayne during the past week, prices Sunday were 27.7 cents per gallon higher than the same day one year ago and are 4.5 cents per gallon lower than a month ago. The national average has increased 13.5 cents per gallon during the last month and stands 30.4 cents per gallon higher than this day one year ago.

"Late last week we saw wholesale gasoline prices rise dramatically on some refinery issues, which leads me to believe that retail gasoline prices will rise in response," said GasBuddy.com Senior Petroleum Analyst Patrick DeHaan. "We continue to also watch how Iran responds to EU sanctions- there are some concerns that they may cut oil to the European region before the sanctions are to take effect to cause these countries hardship when they can't find new sources of oil quickly enough. That in itself could draw crude oil prices higher quickly at a moments notice," DeHaan said.