Gas prices in Chattanooga jump nearly 14 cents per gallon last week

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Gasoline prices in Chattanooga jumped by the biggest weekly amount since this spring last week, rising an average 13.6 cents per gallon to $1.97 per gallon, according to GasBuddy's daily survey of 170 gas outlets in Chattanooga.

Chattanooga gas prices still averaged 25 cents per gallon less than the U.S. average. But the rise in gas prices locally was far greater than most of the country last week as crude oil prices increased on global markets.

Including the change in gas prices in Chattanooga during the past week, prices Sunday in Chattanooga were 62.8 cents per gallon lower than the same day one year ago and are 4.2 cents per gallon higher than a month ago. The national average has decreased 10.4 cents per gallon during the last month and stands 70.5 cents per gallon lower than this day one year ago.

"Motorists were hit with rising gas prices in 33 of the nation's 50 states, catching up with recent increases in crude oil prices, while the Midwest, stung from increases from the previous week, saw relief," said Patrick DeHaan, GasBuddy senior petroleum analyst.

"While we'll see lower gasoline prices to return to much of the country in the weeks ahead, these types of isolated blips in gasoline prices do occasionally happen during times when crude oil prices are volatile. With recent Fed comments about raising interest rates propelling markets, don't be surprised if we see occasional small gas prices increases followed by decreases, leading to a lower gasoline prices in time for the holidays," DeHaan said.