TRIAD – The recent rise in gas prices has area motorists getting that sinking feeling again.

The average price for a gallon of self-service unleaded in the Greensboro-High Point-Winston-Salem metropolitan area has increased 16 cents in the past week through Friday, according to AAA Carolinas. The local average is $2.56 per gallon.

Still, the Triad’s average is the lowest among all metropolitan areas in the state, AAA Carolinas reports. The state average was $2.59 per gallon as of Friday.

The main reason gas prices have driven higher this month stems from international oil futures trading, with American and global economic prospects appearing to have turned upward, said Tom Crosby, vice president of communications with AAA Carolinas out of Charlotte.

“As the economy looks like it’s getting better, oil speculators buy crude oil futures on the expectation that, as demand increases, they are going to be able to make profits,” Crosby said.

As the prices of oil futures increase, distributors and retailers of gasoline raise prices because they anticipate paying more for fuel, he said.

Oil prices have increased 25 percent in less than a month on international markets.

Another factor causing gas prices to increase is the weak level of the dollar in international currency trading, Crosby said. The weaker dollar makes oil purchases for use in America more expensive.

The conversion of oil production to heating fuel for the winter also may contribute to the run-up in gas prices, since diverting oil for heating fuel crimps supply for gasoline, Crosby said.

Despite the increase in gas prices this month, motorists don’t face as great a burden as a year ago.

“Right now (Friday), for example, in the High Point-Greensboro-Winston-Salem area, it’s $2.558. A year ago, it was $2.935,” Crosby said.

pjohnson@hpe.com | 888-3528