The national average price of a gallon of unleaded increased 12 cents to $1.961 per gallon for the week ending March 14, which marked the second consecutive weekly increase, according to federal records.

The nation's average gasoline price is now 49.2 cents lower than it was a year ago, as it fell in nine regions tracked by the U.S. Department of Energy. Most regions saw double-digit increases with the West Coast increasing 15 cents to $2.394, and the Gulf Coast increasing 14.3 cents to $1.746.

Eleven states now have gasoline costing at least $2 per gallon, according to AAA's Daily Fuel Gauge Report. California's $2.593 is the highest in the nation, while New Jersey's $1.694 is the lowest.

Meanwhile, the average price of a gallon of diesel fuel increased 7.8 cents to $2.099 per gallon. Diesel is now 81.8 cents lower than it was a year ago.