Gasoline prices expected to rise

New Haven, Conn. (WTNH) - The cost of filling up your car is expected to go higher in the coming weeks, but not nearly as high as it once was.

Gas prices are expected to jump about 30 cents a gallon in the next few weeks.

Seasonal influences are the reason why, analysts said, such as refiners switching to more expensive summer blends of gasoline.

The higher prices come at a time when most Americans' incomes are stagnant. According to the Commerce Department incomes only edged up 0.1 percent in January, below analysts' estimates.

AAA says gasoline prices were rising only 0.1 cents Monday to a national average of $2.703 per gallon. In Connecticut, the average price for a gallon of regular unleaded is $2.85.

The record high for gas in Connecticut was set two summer ago in 2008, when gas hit $4.39 a gallon and diesel soared to over $5.05 a gallon.

According to the Oil Price Information Service, at $3.00 per gallon a typical motorist using 50 gallons of gasoline would pay about $150 per month for fuel. That's about $15 a month more than current prices.

A family with one car is spending about 4 percent of its income on fuel currently.

A year ago gasoline in Connecticut was a $2.02 a gallon.