Coast gas prices rising after dropping to $1.50

South Mississippi's gas prices are at the highest level this year -- and climbing.

The AAA Fuel Gauge reported Monday that, on average, a gallon of regular gasoline on the Coast is selling for $1.80. That compares to the $1.79 state average and $1.98 national average.

Gas prices started the year at $1.74 and dropped every week through Feb. 15, when the average reached a low of $1.50. The price started to climb that next week and has risen every week since.

The biggest change came between March 7 and 14, when the price jumped 18 cents in one week. The price increased 3 cents last week.

At 30 cents more a gallon from mid-February to now, the cost of a 15-gallon fill-up for an average size car has risen from $22.50 to $27.

The price remains 38 cents a gallon below the $2.18 a gallon Coast drivers paid a year ago, when it cost $32.70 for 15 gallons of gas.

"With the U.S. average price of gas closing in on the $2 level, a price not seen since late December, it reflects a real paradox," said Gregg Laskoski, senior petroleum analyst with GasBuddy. "We see simultaneously both a stark increase -- 25 cents per gallon in the past few weeks -- and a reminder of how much we're still saving,"

Gas Buddy said prices are expected to rise to accommodate "summer blend" gasoline regulations. Even with a 54 increase in crude oil from $26 to $40 for benchmark West Texas Intermediate, the national average price of gas is still 45 cents lower than it was exactly one year ago, he said.

This story was originally published March 21, 2016 at 2:54 PM with the headline "Coast gas prices rising after dropping to $1.50 ."