The nationwide average for a gallon of regular unleaded gas is at about $2.61, which is five cents more than two weeks ago. But the average in St. Louis is $2.34.

As for the increase to prices, analyst Trilby Lundberg says don't despair. Refining capacity is being restored after an extra heavy year of repairs and maintenance.

She says if crude oil prices don't jump further and the supply isn't threatened, gas prices will probably peak and then fall, perhaps prior to mid-April.

The highest gas is in San Francisco at $3.19 a gallon. © Copyright 2012, St. Louis Public Radio