BELLINGHAM, WA (MyBellinghamNow.com) – You might need to spend your pot o’ gold from St. Paddy’s Day to fill up your tank.

AAA reported the average price of a gallon of regular in Bellingham is $4.27 as of Monday, March 18, up 52 cents from a month ago. It’s also 7 cents more than we were paying this time last year.

The state average is $4.30 per gallon while the national average sits at $3.47.

AAA said fuel prices usually rise this time of year as driving and demand increase and refiners begin switching to costlier spring and summer blends. The service also blamed higher crude oil prices and lower reserves for the increase.