The average price of gasoline hit a nationwide record of $1.719 a gallon for regular unleaded as nearly half the states posted new average highs and a few others were within a cent or two, motorists' club AAA reported March 17. Worse, prices are expected to keep climbing because gasoline and crude oil supplies in the United States are below the minimums necessary to guarantee uninterrupted supplies, according to USA Today. That means there's little buffer as much of the U.S. shifts to warm-weather-blend gasoline required by federal and local regulations to reduce pollution. A pipeline break, refinery fire or other supply disruption could result in even higher prices, shortages, or both, according to USA Today.