PROVIDENCE (AP) — The average price of a gallon of gas in Rhode Island is up another 2 cents in the past week, but prices may start to drop again soon, AAA Northeast said Monday.

Rhode Islanders are now paying an average of $2.22 per gallon at the pump, which is 12 cents more than one month ago but 35 cents lower than the price one year ago.

Rhode Island's price remains 3 cents lower than the national average.

“While gas prices average 11-12 cents more than last month, January gas prices are already 33 cents cheaper than this time last year," AAA spokesperson Lloyd Albert said in a statement. “That is the largest year-over-year difference at the beginning of January since 2015. AAA expects demand to dwindle in coming weeks and gas prices to likely be cheaper, especially if crude oil holds at the current price."

Rhode Island's per-gallon average is a penny higher than in Massachusetts and 5 cents lower than in Connecticut.