Analysts said the uncharacteristically early price rise is due to several factors: some refineries closing permanently or shutting down for maintenance, climbing crude oil prices, and a shortage of supply in California, requiring fuel to be diverted from other areas of the country to make up for reduced inventories.

In California, which often has the highest-priced gasoline in the continental U.S., mid and premium priced grades are already over $4 a gallon. Meanwhile, the state-wide average price of regular gasoline has jumped over 30 cents, or 10 percent, from a month ago to $3.91 a gallon on Monday, according to AAA. California gas prices are up 24 cents — or 6 percent higher — than they were a year ago.

Diesel fuel is also near the $4 a gallon mark, with the national average price of diesel at $3.98 a gallon on Monday, according to AAA. Diesel prices are about 10 cents higher than a year ago. (Read More: Will We See Record Gasoline Prices This Year?)

Meanwhile, consumers who use heating oil in their homes have seen sharp increases in those fuel prices and are also paying more than they did a year ago. According to the New York State Energy Research & Development Authority, the statewide average price of residential heating oil was $4.14 a gallon for the week ending January 28, up about 3 percent from a year ago.

(Read More: Oil Dips Below $116 as Investors Exhale After Rally.)



Analysts say the price rise for diesel and home heating oil are also due to refinery issues around the country.

—By CNBC's Sharon Epperson; Follow her on Twitter: @sharon_epperson



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