Average retail gasoline prices in Nashville rose 2.7 cents per gallon during the just-concluded week, averaging $3.39, according to gasoline price website NashvilleGasPrices.com.

This compares with the national average that increased 3 cents per gallon in the last week to $3.43.

Prices on Sunday, Feb. 5, were 42.9 cents per gallon higher than the same day one year ago and 17.5 cents per gallon higher than a month ago. The national average has increased 10.2 cents per gallon during the last month and stands 31.9 cents per gallon higher than Feb. 5, 2011.

"The national average has continued on its upward trend as we move closer to spring and EPA-mandated cleaner burning gasoline," GasBuddy.com Senior Petroleum Analyst Patrick DeHaan said in a release. "The smaller movements in gasoline prices as of late in areas of the country will certainly not hold much longer. Gasoline prices tend to start moving significantly higher towards the end of February and into mid-March, so motorists should be preparing for higher prices.”