Gas Prices Were Higher in 2012 Than Any Other Year

Nine-cent jump in average from last year

It is now official: the average price of a gallon of gasoline was higher in 2012 than any year on record, according to data from the American Automobile Association, or AAA.

The national average price of for the year was $3.60 a gallon, a significant jump from the previous record of $3.51 set in 2011. While 2008 is famous for a huge summer spike that drove the average above $4 a gallon, price weren't as consistently high as this year, leaving 2008 in third place overall at $3.25.

"Record high gas prices have made this the most expensive year yet for motorists," said AAA spokesman Avery Ash. "Factors as volatile as major hurricanes, refinery outages and tension in the Middle East resulted in significant frustration for people filling up their cars."