The nation's average price of regular unleaded stayed at $2.35 per gallon for the week ending Aug. 14 as a result of strong demand, high imports, and increasing production, according to AAA.

The price level is now 9 cents higher than a month ago and 22 cents more than a year ago. In the past week, gasoline prices increased in 27 states and declined in 12 states. Regions seeing the bulk of the increasing prices at the pump include the West Coast, Rockies, and Midwest.

"Prices at the pump continue a slow, upward climb as the summer season draws to a close," said Jeanette Casselano, a AAA spokesperson. "As we get closer to Labor Day and demand and production rates grow, drivers will likely see some of the highest prices at the pump this year."

States with the steepest weekly increases include Idaho (9 cents), Indiana (7 cents), Utah (7 cents), Michigan (6 cents), Ohio (6 cents), Wyoming (3 cents), Hawaii (3 cents), Illinois (3 cents), West Virginia (3 cents), and Oregon (2 cents).

States with the least expensive prices include South Carolina ($2.08), Alabama ($2.10), Mississippi ($2.10), Arkansas ($2.11), Oklahoma ($2.12), Missouri ($2.14), Tennessee ($2.15), Virginia ($2.16), Texas ($2.16), and Louisiana ($2.16).

Meanwhile, the average price of a gallon of diesel increased 1.7 cents to $2.598, which is now 28.8 cents higher than a year ago.