CAMARILLO, Calif. (AP) – Gasoline prices reached a record high nationwide average of $1.77 a gallon for all grades, rising 1.34 cents in the last two weeks, according to a study released Sunday.

Gas prices have jumped by nearly 26 cents so far this year, and while they won’t be falling by that amount any time soon, they aren’t expected to rise much higher, according to the Lundberg survey of 8,000 stations nationwide on March 12.

The previous combined average record high was a May 2001 price of $1.76.

Analyst Trilby Lundberg said the latest spike reflects the rise in crude oil prices and an increase in refinery work to prepare for greater spring and summer gasoline demand.

OPEC declared earlier this year that it would reduce official oil production by April 1 and crack down on those countries exceeding the level.

“Where crude oil prices go next – whether they push or pull on gas prices – is OPEC’s guess,” she said.

Lundberg said work at the refineries is nearly complete.

“The pace of the pump price hike has slowed,” Lundberg said, “and prices are dropping on a spotty basis around the country.”

In California, prices remain higher than the rest of the country due to the state’s strict environmental regulations and sales tax on gas pumps, but they dropped nearly a penny in the last two weeks to $2.10 per gallon.

The national weighted average price of gasoline, including taxes, at self-serve pumps Friday was about $1.74 for regular, $1.84 for midgrade and $1.92 for premium.

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