BELLINGHAM, WA (MyBellinghamNow.com) – Gas prices continue to go up across the county, and Whatcom County is no different.

AAA reports that the average price for a gallon of gas in Bellingham sits at about $4.62.

That’s up 36 cents from a week ago and up 71 cents from this time last month.

Whatcom County’s average is on par with the state average of $4.63.

The jump in prices is mainly attributed to a shipment blockage in the Strait of Hormuz as the conflict in the Middle East widens.

Without any cargo able to enter or exit the vital waterway, barrels of crude oil are averaging about $75 per barrel.