. >> with more on the issue of gas prices and what we're paying at the pump, we're joined by avery ash, the manager of regulatory affairs for the aaa here in washington. >> happy to be here. >> let's get to the basic issue. why are prices up and why this time of year? >> yeah, you know, there are a number of factors at play here as to why gasoline prices have been rising across the country. you know, the major reason hope to is that crude prices are higher. crude's obviously the major component that goes into gasoline prices, about 75, 76% of each gallon of gasoline is due to crude prices. we have seen crude prices higher to begin the year here. and that's due to i an number of factors. we've seen improving economies around the world, including in europe and the u.s. so that would be expected to put upward pressure on crude oil prices. we've had also seen increased uncertainty from geopolitical tensions with iran. those tensions as well would be expected to put upward pressure on crude oil prices which we've seen this year. >> in the mid-atlantic region, prices are about $3.80 to $3.90