Twin Cities gas prices reaching record highs

Gas prices in the Twin Cities are hitting record highs in recent days.

Gasbuddy.com lists the average price of regular unleaded at $4.33 cents in the Twin Cities. That's the highest of any metropolitan region in the country. Statewide, Minnesota prices are second only to Hawaii right now.

AAA puts gas prices at $4.28 for a statewide average. AAA spokeswoman Gail Weinholzer said refinery shutdowns in Chicago, Kansas and Oklahoma are mostly to blame for the steep increase. The shutdowns have depressed supply and driven up prices.

"We have hit a record high each day, starting with Thursday, but today's record high was only one cent more than yesterday, so that shows us that we are putting the brakes on the increase," Weinholzer said. "We have heard of refineries diverting some of their fuel from the Gulf Coast region. So that will help alleviate some of the restricted supply in the Upper Midwest. But of course it does take a few days to get here."

Weinholzer said prices in Duluth are a few cents higher than in the metro. But AAA reports Rochester prices are averaging just $4.12.