Virginia motorists are paying more at the gas pump and prices are expected to rise.

AAA Mid-Atlantic says the price of a gallon of regular gasoline now averages $3.31 a gallon statewide. That's an increase of 3 cents from last week.

But motorists are still paying about 30 cents a gallon more in Virginia than they were a year ago.

Gas prices range from about $3.29 in the Roanoke metro area to about $3.25 in the Charlottesville area. Gas prices nationally average $3.39.

The auto club says prices at the pump will likely surpass the $4 per gallon mark before the weather warms up this spring.