CHICAGO — The national average price of gasoline on Wednesday shot up

15 cents compared to one week ago and is locked in at $3.67 a gallon.

    According to gasoline price tracker GasBuddy, no where in the country has the price climb been any steeper than in the Great Lakes region.

    “Indiana’s prices have risen by 29 cents over the past week, nearly double the rate of increase the rest of the country is seeing,” said Patrick DeHaan, senior petroleum analyst for GasBuddy. “And, the price escalation has been nearly as exasperating for consumers in Michigan (+.27), Illinois (+.26) and Wisconsin (+.23).”

    Additionally, the U.S. Department of Energy’s weekly report indicated that crude oil inventories decreased by 6.9 million barrels to a total of 367 million barrels, a level that is 10.4 million barrels below last year’s.

    “If there’s a silver lining in the report, it’s that gasoline inventory increased and refinery output is healthy,” said Gregg Laskoski, a senior petroleum analyst with GasBuddy. “But with the backdrop of current demand and NYMEX crude at $106 we can only expect retail prices to continue their upward momentum.”

    To view and compare current gasoline prices in your area, visit www.idahogasprices.com.