Terry Richards | The Valdosta Daily Times

VALDOSTA — ‘Twas the night before Christmas, and all through the city, gas prices were rising, at rates itty-bitty.

The average price of a gallon of regular gasoline in Valdosta Sunday was $2.24, a penny higher than a week earlier, according to the AAA Daily Fuel Gauge Report.

The lowest price reported in the city Sunday was $2.09 a gallon at two retailers, one on Bemiss Road and the other on Inner Perimeter Road, according to the price tracking website gasbuddy.com.

The highest price reported in Valdosta Sunday was $2.19 per gallon at a store on the Madison Highway, according to gasbuddy. Not all store prices are reported to gasbuddy, which relies on volunteer reporters.

Nationally, the average price of gasoline Sunday was $2.44 a gallon, up a penny in seven days, while Georgia’s average price of $2.27 a gallon was down from $2.29 in the same period, according to the auto club.

In Friday market action, benchmark U.S. crude rose 11 cents to $58.47 a barrel in New York. Brent crude, which is used to price international oils, rose 35 cents to $65.25 a barrel in London.

Wholesale gasoline picked up 1 cent to $1.76 a gallon. Heating oil rose 2 cents to $1.97 a gallon. Natural gas jumped 7 cents to $2.67 per 1,000 cubic feet.

Terry Richards is senior reporter at The Valdosta Daily Times.