State lawmakers could potentially raise gas prices through higher taxes in the coming months but the cost to fuel up is already climbing. 

The average price of a gallon of regular unleaded was $4.14 in the Tri-Cities as of April 7, according to AAA. While down a penny compared to the day before, that’s 22 cents higher than a week ago and 33 cents more than a month ago. 

AAA began tracking higher gas prices nationally at the end of March as schools began their spring breaks, which typically signals the annual jump in prices leading to a summer peak.  

Despite the jump, prices at the pump are still far below where they were a year ago, even more so from the eye-popping prices seen in 2022.  

Last year at this time, a gallon of regular unleaded in the Tri-Cities was going for an average of $4.40, while in 2022, the highest average price in the region hit $5.31.