Gas prices have risen for the first time in a month, likely due to the seasonal transition to summer gasoline, with the national average now at $3.11 per gallon, according to the EIA. Prices remain 40 cents lower than last year, and experts note the increase is unrelated to politics or tariffs. Refinery maintenance discussions have been minimal, but the final steps in the summer fuel transition could push prices higher, though economic uncertainty may limit further spikes. Most regions saw price increases, with the Midwest and Gulf Coast rising by 12 and 11 cents, respectively, while the West Coast remained steady at $4.05. Mississippi leads as the cheapest state for gas at $2.67, and 21 states still have averages below $2.99, though this number has dropped significantly from last week.