Gas inflation is back! Prices at the pump surge to $3.47 a gallon but costs vary by as much as $30 a tank between states - here are where motorists are worst-hit

Motorists are facing an average of $52 to fill up a tank of gas after prices at the pump soared to $3.48 a gallon.

Gas costs are now higher than they were a year ago, after months of being on a steady downwards trajectory. 

It comes after fuel was identified as a key driver of inflation which has proved unexpectedly sticky in 2024.

Figures from the AAA show that the national average price for regular gas climbed to $3.48 a gallon, up from $3.45 a year ago. It means a 15-gallon fuel tank would cost $52.20 to fill up.

And it is the first time that gas prices have been up on a year-on-year basis in 2024.

AAA spokesman Andrew Gross said of rising prices: 'This is the time of year we normally see pump prices start to rise.

'And while prices have been rather pokey so far, they should begin to accelerate and move higher very soon.' 

Costs at the pump have been pushed up by recent drone attacks on oil refineries in Russia which have in turn boosted gasoline and oil prices. 

Tom Kloza, global head of energy analysis at the Oil Price Information Service, told CNN: 'It appears pretty clear that Ukrainians have discovered the best way to attack Vladimir Putin is to attack him in his wallet. 

'That means knocking out refineries. It’s a wildcard we’ve never had to deal with before.'

Drivers in California are now facing the most expensive costs, with a gallon costing $4.92. A 15-gallon tank would therefore be $73.80. 

They are followed by motorists in Hawaii, Washington, Nevada and Oregon where a gallon is over $4. 

By comparison, the cheapest place for gas is Mississippi where a gallon is currently $3.05 - or $45 a tank on average. 

It means drivers in the Magnolia state are paying almost $30 less for a tank than those in California. 

Gas was identified as a key driver of February's hotter-than-expected inflation report.

Data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics showed prices rose 3.2 percent in the year to February, up from January's 3.1 percent reading.

According to the Consumer Price Index (CPI), gas prices had shot up 4.3 percent between January and February.

Inflation is proving to be one of the most contentious issues facing President Biden's re-election.

But Mukesh Sahdev, head of oil trading and downstream research at Rystad Energy AS,, warned gas prices could still hit a multi-year high. 

He recently told Bloomberg: 'There's not a lot President Biden can do in time for the election, if this happens.

'Strategic petroleum reserves are low, and there are few levers for the US government to pull to lower gasoline prices.'