The average price for regular grade gasoline, all formulations, surged 8.6cts to a $2.751 gal 15-month high for the week-ended Jan. 11, according to the Energy Information Administration.

The average price is up 96.7cts gal compared with the same week in 2009.

Gasoline is averaging the least in the Gulf Coast region and the most along the West Coast.

In the West Coast region, prices are 6.6cts higher on the week at $2.966 gal. The Pacific Northwest average is up 7.9cts at $2.828 gal for the week. City-wide, the Los Angeles average increased 6.5cts to $3.100 gal while in Seattle, Washington, the gasoline average rose 7cts at $2.871 gal.

The Rocky Mountain average is up 6.9cts at $2.578 gal. Colorado averaged $2.554 gal, up 7.9cts on the week.

In the Gulf Coast the average was up 9.1cts at $2.616, and Houston increased 11.9cts to $2.580 gal.

In the Midwest, prices gained 8.9cts at $2.726, 90.3cts more than the comparable year-ago period.

In Minnesota, gasoline inclined 9.1cts to $2.726 gal. In Ohio, the gasoline average added 10.2cts at $2.756 gal.

Retail gasoline averaged $2.761 in Florida, up 8.5cts from last week. Central Atlantic states posted an 8.9cts incline in their average to $2.775 gal, with the New England region up 8.4cts at $2.769 gal. Overall, gasoline along the East Coast averaged $2.745 gal, up 9.2cts from the prior week.

Regular Gasoline Retail Prices (Cents per Gallon)