Nationally, the price of regular grade gasoline has climbed 17 cents the past 21 days. With the 5% jump, consumers will pay an average $3.45 a gallon heading into the weekend, vs. $3.28 a month ago.
Consumers are spending about 33 cents a gallon less than year ago levels. Prices will likely peak at about $3.75 a gallon, a slight break from 2013's $3.79 peak, the American Automobile Association says.
The recent runup has been felt across the nation. In November, about 25% of U.S. gas stations sold gasoline at $3 or less. That's dropped to less than 1%.
Behind the longest daily increase since February 2013 : Higher crude oil prices, lower production and rising wholesale prices for spring delivery ahead of stronger seasonal demand.
Prices in some states have risen far faster than the national average - particularly in the Midwest, where Michigan gas prices have jumped 39 cents to $3.66, Indiana, where gas is up 34 cents to $3.58, and Ohio, with a 34 cent jump to $3.56.
South Carolina currently has the cheapest gas, averaging $3.17 a gallon. Most expensive: Hawaii, at $4.08.
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