Carson gas prices up 22 cents

Gas prices continue to go up in Nevada as the peak summer travel season approaches, according to the latest report from AAA Nevada.

The average price in Nevada for regular, unleaded gasoline is $3.87, a 25-cent increase from the last AAA survey on March 8.

Last year at this time the average price in Nevada was $2.96, marking a 91-cent increase from a year ago. Meanwhile, the average price in Carson City is $3.90, a 22-cent increase from a month ago. In Reno it's $3.97, a 23-cent increase, and in Las Vegas it's $3.83, a 26-cent increase.

The national average is $3.79, a 27-cent increase from a month ago.

For the second week in a row, demand for gasoline has dropped across the United States. However, this has not had a huge impact on prices at the pump, given the global nature of the crude oil market, said Michael Geeser, the spokesman for AAA Nevada.

"Investors continue to be the largest force driving the market price for oil," Geeser said. "Instability in the Middle East and North Africa still has them concerned about the world's supply of crude, which has helped to keep oil prices on the rise."

Nevada is currently tied with Indiana for the seventh highest average price in the lower 48 states.

The least expensive gasoline in the country is found in Casper, Wyo., where, for the second consecutive month the average price of gas is $3.37.