Area gas prices rising faster than nat'l average

NEW HAVEN, Conn. (WTNH) -- Gas prices continue to rise in the area and the rate of increase is more than doubling the national average.

According to NewHavenGasPrices.com , average retail gasoline prices in New Haven have risen 5.2 cents per gallon over the past week. This bumps the average up to $4.11 per gallon.

The national average during the same time has increased 2.3 cents per gallon, to an average of $3.86 per gallon.

Compared to one year ago, when gas prices were about $3.87 per gallon in the New Haven area, the price has risen just over 24 cents per gallon.

"The national average continues to hover near its highest ever September level," said GasBuddy.com Senior Petroleum Analyst Patrick DeHaan. "As we push deeper into September, the more optimistic I am that these high prices will begin to come down slightly, but with the recently announced QE3, I'm a bit concerned that prices won't moderate as much as previously expected as the dollar weakens, leading me to believe 2012 will have featured the highest yearly average ever," DeHaan said.

Connecticut is now alone in the 2nd place spot for highest gas prices per state in the country. Only Hawaii with an average price of $4.41 per gallon is higher.

According to GasBuddy.com , the average gas price per gallon across Connecticut is $4.14.