B.R. gas prices up 5 cents on the week

The average gallon of regular unleaded gas is going for $3.21 in Baton Rouge this morning, up 5 cents from a week ago—and 15 cents from a month ago. That’s according to today’s AAA Daily Fuel Gauge Report, which tracks average gas prices in metro areas throughout the country. The Baton Rouge average remains one penny below the Louisiana average of $3.22—which is 4 cents higher than a week ago and 13 cents higher than a month ago. The U.S. average is at $3.30 this morning, up 1 cent from a week ago and 3 cents from a month ago. Despite the recent increases, gas prices are expected to fall about 5% on average in 2013, according to a recent Energy Department forecast. But as MSN reports, that still places the U.S. average—expected to be at $3.44 per gallon—well above the $3-a-gallon mark, and the third-highest average fuel price ever. Still, it is 19 cents lower than last year’s record $3.63 average. Drivers in Utah are currently paying the lowest gas prices, at an average $2.88 a gallon, while New Yorkers are still dealing with Sandy’s aftermath as they pay $3.75.