Gas Prices Spiking In Massachusetts

Massachusetts residents are feeling pain at the pump with gas prices spiking.

The average price for a gallon of regular gasoline was $3.58, according to AAA. That was 18 cents more than a week ago and a whopping 68 cents higher than a month prior.

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The national average climbed nearly 35 cents from the week before to $3.60, AAA reported.

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AAA pointed to the conflict in Iran as driving crude oil prices higher, but the approach of spring wasn't helping either.

"Gasoline demand increases this time of year as the weather warms up and more drivers hit the road," according to AAA.

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"Crude oil prices play a major role in what drivers pay at the pump, and prices have surpassed the $100/barrel mark multiple times in recent days," AAA said.

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"To help offset rising prices, the U.S. announced it will release 172 million barrels of oil from its strategic reserves over four months," according to AAA. "The move is part of a broader effort by the International Energy Agency to release a total of 400 million barrels of oil, the largest emergency release in its history."

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