(RALEIGH) -- Just a few days before Easter weekend, gas prices in North Carolina are continuing to rise. Currently, the state average for a gallon of regular unleaded is $3.76.

Tom Crosby, spokesperson for AAA Carolinas, says that it's speculation that's driving up the price of gas, rather than supply or demand. He says that the price is about a dollar a gallon more than it was at this time last year, and he doesn't know how much higher prices may get before vacation season begins in just over a month.

"We did see the prices drop in May last year, so I don't know whether that will happen this year. It all depends on the speculation," he said.