How much does gas cost in the Columbus area? One county soars above the rest.

If you haven’t filled up in the last week, you are in for a surprise.

Gas prices across the state of Georgia have risen more than 40 cents per gallon in the last seven days, according to AAA.

As of Monday, the average price for gas in the Peach state was $3.96, just 10 cents below the national average. The folks across the state line in Alabama fared a little better, with an average price of $3.91.

Chattahoochee County recorded the highest average at $4.19 per gallon, an average higher than Atlanta’s $3.97 per gallon and Macon’s $4.01.

It may also be a few cents cheaper to drive from Columbus to Phenix City for gas, according to AAA data.

Here are the average prices for regular unleaded fuel per county in the Columbus area, as of 3 p.m. Monday:

• Chattahoochee County: $4.19

• Meriweather County: $3.97

• Harris County: $3.95

• Troup County: $3.95

• Muscogee County: $3.91

• Lee County: $3.91

• Russell County: $3.89

A fill-up now may be a savings in the long run as prices continue to soar in the coming days.

“There’s a possibility that the national average will quickly jump to $4.25 or $4.50,” said Patrick De Haan, head of petroleum analysis for GasBuddy.

The spike will probably continue into midweek before potentially slowing down near the end of the week.

“90% of the recent increase in the last week is probably because of the Russia situation,” he said, referencing Russian President Vladimir Putin’s decision to invade Ukraine.

This story was originally published March 7, 2022 at 5:02 PM.