Nevada gas prices 4th highest in U.S.

Gas prices are continuing their upward trend in Nevada, increasing by four cents since July 13 for an average of $2.97 a gallon, according to the AAA's monthly Fuel Gauge Report.

The average price for a gallon of regular, unleaded gasoline in Carson City is now $3.02, a rise of six cents since last month.

In Reno, the average price is $3.16, an increase of five cents, while Las Vegas is averaging $2.87, up two cents from last month's

survey.

The national average for regular is now $2.78, an increase of seven cents since last month's AAA survey.

"The rise in gas prices across Nevada reflects the mixed signals that exist when it comes to the economy and the demand for gasoline," said Michael Geeser, the spokesman for AAA in Nevada. "Uncertainty about the economy and forecasts for a highly active storm season continue to influence how investors look at oil as a commodity to invest in. These factors have helped to keep the price for a barrel of oil around the $80 mark."

July and August are historically the months in which Americans drive the most miles, according to federal data, which often leads to higher fuel prices.

Excluding Alaska and Hawaii, Nevada has the fourth highest average gas price in the country, trailing California, Washington and Oregon.

The highest average price in the country is $3.54 in Alaska. California's average of $3.18 per gallon is the highest in the lower 48 states.

The least expensive gasoline in the country is found in Greenville, S.C., and Springfield, Mo., where the average price of gas is $2.54 per gallon, according to the AAA.

Among the lower 48 states, the highest average price reported by AAA is in South Lake Tahoe, where the average price is $3.41.