(Raleigh) -- North Carolinians who pump gas will notice their wallets and change purses getting lighter this week, as the "gas gremlin" has struck, yet again.

The price for a gallon of regular gasoline went up this week in the Triad, Triangle and Charlotte. According to the AAA Daily Fuel Gauge Report, the price in the Triad ticked three cents higher to $3.10, and Triangle commuters incurred a three cent spike to $3.13 per gallon. The Charlotte price is now $3.21; the Queen City was hit hardest, suffering and eight cent jump in gas prices compared to a week ago.

The Lundberg Survey of fuel prices, released Sunday, says the price of gas this week has risen, nationwide, by 5.31 cents since last week. The national average for a gallon of regular now rings in at $3.18.  North Carolina's state average is slightly lower at $3.15.