THE CYBER STOKIST, WHERE THE FUEL SAVING BEGINS.

Retail gas prices hit record highs for the ninth day in a row, auto group AAA’s Web site showed Friday.The nationwide average for a gallon of regular unleaded hit $3.787, up from the previous high of $3.776.

Gas prices have now risen for 10 straight days. The pinch on consumers at the pump comes just ahead of the summer driving season, which kicks off with Memorial Day weekend.

The AAA national average shows gas prices up 11% over the past month and up nearly 22% from year-ago levels.

Two states have passed the $4 a gallon threshold. According to the AAA, the average price for a gallon of gas in Alaska is $4.042.

Connecticut is the second most expensive state to purchase gas in with an average price of $4.008 a gallon.

The least expensive state for drivers is Arizona, where a gallon of regular unleaded will set consumers back $3.565, well below the national average.

The second least expensive state to purchase gas in is Wyoming, where a gallon of gas averages $3.580.

Retail gas prices have been pushed up by crude oil prices, which have doubled in the last 12 months.