The price of gas has increased throughout the county. This photo was taken at lunchtime Tuesday. This price had increased by the evening.

The price of gas has increased throughout the county. This photo was taken at lunchtime Tuesday. This price had increased by the evening.

Gas prices in the state and nation are expected to continue to rise.

Tiffany Wright, spokesperson for AAA Carolinas, said in the wake of the US ban on Russian oil, the global market is reacting, and oil prices have soared.

“Unfortunately, gas prices will continue to rise and there’s not much drivers can do about it but look for ways to save and get the best fuel economy out of their vehicles,” she said.

The average gas price in the county is $4.05. Prices at the pump climbed an average of 49 cents in the state.

As the conflict between Russia and Ukraine continues, crude prices soar, leading to higher pump prices in the U.S. The national average for a gallon of gas is $4.06, a staggering 45 cents more than a week ago, 62 cents more than a month ago and $1.30 more than a year ago. The national average has not been this high since July 2008.

Wright said crude prices continue to surge in response to the conflict between Russia and Ukraine.

“As the conflict continues, the oil markets will likely respond by increasing the price of crude oil to reflect more risk of disruption to tight global oil supplies this week,” she said.

She added it is impossible to predict what pump prices will look like next week, or even next month during such a volatile time in the global oil market.

The U.S. price of oil surged 26% last week, rising a little more than $24 per barrel. An increase of that magnitude translates to a 60-cent increase at the pump. This could yield another 10-15 cent increase at the pump.

Wright said that although drivers can’t control the factors that determine gas prices, they can control consumption habits.

Some fuel saving tips include:

—Maintain your vehicle to optimize fuel economy.

—Combine errands to limit driving time.

—Shop around for the best gas prices in your community.

—Consider paying cash. Some retailers charge extra per gallon for customers who pay with a credit card.

—Remove excess weight in your vehicle.

—Drive conservatively. Aggressive acceleration and speeding reduces fuel economy.