National average gasoline prices increased to $2.36 per gallon heading toward the Memorial Day holiday with 36 states registering price increases, according to AAA.

The average price for a gallon of unleaded gasoline increased 2 cents from a week ago and 8 cents from a year ago. Prices were 6 cents lower a month ago.

The week's price increase came amid rising demand and crude oil prices. National gasoline inventories fell 600,000 barrels to 240.7 million.

More than 34 million Americans plan to take a road trip this Memorial Day for an increase of 800,000 drivers over a year ago.

The states with the biggest price increases in the past week include Ohio (10 cents), Michigan (9 cents), California (8 cents), Indiana (6 cents), Delaware (4 cents), and Nevada (4 cents),.

The states with the most expensive gasoline include California ($3.06), Hawaii ($3.06), Alaska ($2.90), Washington ($2.88), Oregon ($2.73), Nevada ($2.72), Pennsylvania ($2.57), Idaho ($2.54), Washington, D.C. ($2.54) and Connecticut ($2.50).

Meanwhile, the average price of diesel fell five-tenths of a cent to $2.539. Diesel is now 18.2 cents higher than a year ago.