Analysts say gasoline prices across the Tri-City area have jumped 18 cents in one week

Looking for cheaper gasoline in the Tri-City area? If you live in Prince George County, you are in luck.

AAA of Virginia said Monday that Prince George has the lowest gas price of all localities within the Tri-City area. On average, consumers are paying $4.09 per gallon for regular unleaded fuel. 

At the other end of the spectrum, AAA said Hopewell has the overall highest per-gallon price at $4.25 for regular unleaded. That's about four cents more than Colonial Heights' average price.

Petersburg and Dinwiddie County were virtually tied at $4.16 per gallon.

In the Richmond-Petersburg metropolitan area, gas prices have jumped an average of 18 cents in the past week and more than 25 cents in the past month. Statewide, the $4.22 price reflects average jumps of 17 cents for the week and 23 cents for the month.

AAA hinted that prices are trending to the point that they could surpass the record average price for the state — $4.25 set March 11.

“With the cost of oil accounting for more than half of the pump price, more expensive oil means more expensive gasoline,” said Morgan Dean, an AAA Mid-Atlantic spokesperson. “These prices are creeping closer to those record high levels of early March.”

Fuel industry tracker GasBuddy.com reports the following lowest and highest gas prices:

• Petersburg: $3.99 at four stations in western Petersburg; $4.29 at two gas stations on County Drive in southeastern Petersburg
• Colonial Heights: $4.19 at two stations, including Sam's Club; $4.25 at 10 other stations
• Hopewell: $4.14 at two stations on 15th Avenue; $4.25 at eight others across the city
• Dinwiddie: $4.09 at two stations on Carson Road and Boydton Plank Road; $4.19 at a BP station on Boydton Plank Road
• Prince George: $4.09 at two stations on Courthouse Road and one on Prince George Drive; $4.25 at Sheetz on Colonial Crossings Boulevard

To track all local gas prices, go to www.gasbuddy.com or the AAA gas price tracker.

Bill Atkinson (he/him/his) is an award-winning journalist and daily news coach for USA TODAY' Network's Atlantic Region which includes Virginia. He is based in Petersburg, Virginia. Reach him at batkinson@progress-index.com.