This marks the third consecutive day that the price averaged $2.74, which is the highest here for the year.

South Jersey's average slipped 1 cent overnight, to $2.52. The national average also lost 1 cent, to $2.68.

Today, not a single state has an average of $2.50 or less. Wyoming, which had flirted there for several days, crossed the line today at $2.51.

And three states continue to top $3: Alaska ($3.41), Hawaii ($3.29), and California ($3).

Diesel averages were unchanged overnight in the Philadelphia area: $3.04 in the five-county Philly area and $2.74 in South Jersey. The national average continued at $2.83.

Meanwhile, oil prices increased ahead of a government report on U.S. crude supplies as the dollar tumbled and an independent report said the economy shed fewer jobs in October than September.

There are signs that the economy may have bottomed out, which could mean energy demand will bounce back.

Yet the speed at which crude and gasoline prices are rising has raised concern that the added burden for consumers and business could quash the very recovery that oil investors anticipate.

Benchmark crude for December delivery added 54 cents to $80.14 a barrel on the New York Mercantile Exchange. In London, Brent crude for December delivery rose 55 cents to $78.66 on the ICE Futures exchange.

Crude prices have increased since the summer despite large petroleum supplies and a drop in American driving.

One big part of rising oil prices is the value of the dollar. Oil is traded in U.S. currency, and as the dollar falls, oil gets cheaper for investors holding euros and other strong international currencies.