PIERRE, S.D. (DRG News) – The national gas price average has increased nearly 20-cents since the beginning of the year– the largest jump during the January-February time frame since 2015.

According to AAA South Dakota, the national average is $2.42 per gallon, which is three cents more expensive than last week, 17-cents more expensive than a month ago, but 10 cents cheaper than a year ago.

The average gas price in South Dakota is $2.33, 7 cents more than last week, 19 cents more than last month, but 23 cents less than a year ago.

The nation’s least expensive markets are: Missouri and Arkansas ($2.17), Utah ($2.18), Mississippi, South Carolina and Texas ($2.19).