In a recent report about the latest trend in gasoline prices in the US, the AAA has revealed that gas prices in the country have witnessed an increase for 31 days straight. Specifically, the AAA figures have revealed that, over a stretch of 31 days, there has been an approximately 13 percent increase - to $3.714 - in the average price for one gallon of regular unleaded gas.

According to AAA, gas prices in the country dropped during the fall months, reaching a low of $3.22 on December 20. After that, they moved upward again; and started rising more rapidly in mid-January.

The AAA report implies that that the recent gas hike has hit the Americans right in the middle of the winter season; a time when most of them are already expecting their home-heating bills to be pretty large. Moreover, the gas-price hike has come at a time when many Americans have been hit by smaller paychecks, and there are apprehensions galore that projected budget cuts may even deliver a severer blow.

About the possible reasons behind the increase in gas prices, reports have hinted that a number of factors have contributed to the situation, including rising crude oil prices, production cuts, and closing of refineries.

Noting that "right now, things are tight worldwide," Ray Carbone - president of New York commodities trading firm Paramount Options said: "Refineries going down, unanticipated maintenance, and higher demand ... going into driving season."