Pump prices will get more expensive this week, due to rising geopolitical tensions in the middle east. The conflict in Syria sent crude prices to their highest point in more than three years, and as a result, motorists are about to feel the pain at the pump. Here in the 'Boro, discounters started the week a nickle higher with some offering regular petro at $2.48 per gallon.

The national average price for gasoline is the highest in more than two years. Sunday's average of $2.71 is the highest since July 2015. Tennessee gas prices are the most expensive since last September, when prices were recovering from Hurricane Irma. Sunday's state average of $2.52 is 6 cents more than last week, and 34 cents more than last year. Visit GasPrices.AAA.com for today's state average.

• The most expensive gas price averages in Tennessee are in Nashville ($2.56), Cleveland ($2.53), and Jackson ($2.52)
• The least expensive gas price averages in Tennessee are in Memphis ($2.46), Chattanooga ($2.47), Murfreesboro ($2.48), and Clarksville-Hopkinsville ($2.49)

"Motorists should expect a 15 cent increase at the pump in the short term," said Mark Jenkins, spokesman, AAA - The Auto Club Group. "However, prices could rise even more, depending on how the crude market responds to the latest news of a U.S. missile strike over the weekend."

Crude prices rose more than $5 last week, which was the largest weekly increase in more than eight months. Crude is climbing due to the potential of U.S. sanctions against Syria's sponsors: Russia and Iran. Syria has not exported oil since civil war broke out in 2011. However, the country receives fuel deliveries from Iran.

Crude oil closed at $67.39 per barrel on Friday, the highest daily settlement since December 2014. Wholesale gasoline prices responded in kind, rising nearly 15 cents.

Fuel prices are once again vulnerable to conflict in the middle east, because global supplies are tightening. The OPEC and Non-OPEC production cut agreement is eliminating the global oil supply glut that led to lower prices in recent years. OPEC expects the oil market to rebalance in Q2 or Q3 of this year.

Highs and Lows of 2018

• National: the highest average price for gasoline was $2.70 on April 13; the lowest was $2.49 on January 3.
• Florida: the highest average price was $2.68 on February 8; the lowest was $2.44 on January 2.
• Georgia: the highest average price was $2.61 on April 13; the lowest was $2.35 on January 2.
• Tennessee: the highest average price was $2.50 on April 13; the lowest was $2.26 on January 1.

CURRENT AND PAST PRICE AVERAGES

Regular Unleaded Gasoline

	Sunday	Saturday	Week Ago	Month Ago	One Year Ago	Highest Price on Record
National	$2.711	$2.707	$2.662	$2.527	$2.406	$4.114 (7/17/2008)
Florida	$2.627	$2.625	$2.614	$2.517	$2.421	$4.079 (7/17/2008)
Georgia	$2.638	$2.631	$2.575	$2.392	$2.289	$4.164 (9/15/2008)
Tennessee	$2.517	$2.513	$2.460	$2.305	$2.176	$4.118 (9/15/2008)