BELLINGHAM, WA (MyBellinghamNow.com) – The price of a gallon of gas has ticked up since the start of the new year.

The American Automobile Association (AAA) reports that Bellingham’s average price for a gallon of regular gas is $3.94. It’s running a few cents below the state average of $3.98.

But prices are noticeably higher than this time a month ago, when Bellingham averaged $3.81 per gallon.

AAA says that nationwide, prices have eased due to a drop in demand. The national average sits at $3.13 a gallon.