Kentucky gas prices jump over past week, more to come

Gas prices in Kentucky jumped 8.2 cents per gallon to an average of $3.49 per gallon over the past week and according to one expert, that increase is only a harbinger of the price at the pump as spring draws near.

"The national average has continued on its upward trend as we move closer to spring and EPA-mandated cleaner burning gasoline," Patrick DeHaan, senior petroleum analyst for GasBuddy.com , said in a release. "Gasoline prices tend to start moving significantly higher towards the end of February and into mid-March, so motorists should be preparing for higher prices."

Already, the price at the pump is climbing. The $3.49 per gallon average across the state to begin the week was 6.1 cents higher than a month ago and 37.7 cents per gallon higher than a year ago, according to the gasoline price website KentuckyGasPrices.com . Reported gas prices in Northern Kentucky ranged from $3.36 per gallon  to $3.45 per gallon. Across the river in Cincinnati, average retail gasoline prices in Cincinnati prices fell 3.4 cents per gallon over the past week to an averaging $3.37 per gallon to start the week.

The website reported that the average price nationally for a gallon of self service regular climbed 3.0 cents per gallon over the last week to $3.43 per gallon.

For a look at gas prices in Northern Kentucky and Greater Cincinnati, click here .