New Jersey drivers are feeling more pain at the pump as gas prices nationwide continue to skyrocket.

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According to a survey by AAA, gas prices have increased 15 to 20 cents in the past 19 days.The survey found that the average price rose 1.3 cents to $3.91, and the price has risen for 19 consecutive days.

The current price compares to just below $3.70 a month ago, and just below $3.59 a year ago.

“The switch in April from winter to summer fuel could push that cost up even further” said Tom Kloza, chief analyst at the Oil Price Information Service in Wall Township.

The good news, Kloza says, is that the crude market internationally is calming down a bit.

“It got up to close $130 a barrel and now it is coming down a bit now that countries are making contingency plans for dealing with tensions in Iran. It’s really a mixed bag though…we should see a little bit of a jump in gasoline in the next few weeks and then we’ll watch April. That could be a peak month or remain flat.”

Higher gas prices coupled with a recent increase in tolls on state highways has hit many drivers hard in the wallet.

“I could be spending that extra money on food, clothing, a lot of things, so it really hurts” said Steve from Brick.

“It’s killing me…$50 a day commuting plus the tolls, its costing me a lot of money to go back and forth to work” said Mickey from Pemberton.

“I think its hitting everyone in the pocket…no one has a surplus of extra money these days” said Bill from Howell.

“It really hurts when I have to spend $80 to fill up my truck on the weekends” said Mark from Toms River.

Analysts say unfortunately high gas prices are here to stay, jumping over the next few weeks before spiking in mid-May.

“This is a seasonal increase that we see on the East Coast, but I also think that prices this summer could be a little higher…not enough to keep people from taking trips at the Jersey shore, but it could affect their travel plans” said Kloza.

“Looks like I’ll be buying a motorcycle” said Bob from Whiting.

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New Jersey Gas Prices provided by GasBuddy.com

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