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The national average price gasoline has remained relatively flat over the past week – as it has for nearly a month – however, the 12 month price increase continues to soar.

The national average price for a gallon of regular unleaded gasoline now stands at $2.64 per gallon, up from $2.63 last week, but down from $2.65 last month.Â With the holidays right around the corner, this holding pattern is a welcome sight to many consumers.

Unfortunately, despite having hit a recent plateau, today’s price is nearly 40% higher than the $1.89 it was just one year ago, thanks to both a supposed (albeit weak) economic recovery and oil prices that have climbed 60% over the same 12 months.

Alaska ($3.32), Washington DC ($3.30), and Hawaii ($3.22) are the only locations across the United States with an average price of gas in excess of $3 per gallon.Â Twelve states are reporting average gas prices below $2.50 per gallon, with Colorado the lowest at $2.45.

While I certainly don’t know exactly where gasoline prices are headed, the rapidly declining dollar and improving short-term economic outlook suggest that we’ll see another spike in prices relatively soon.