The 10-cent increase in gas prices over the last month in Nevada seems almost like a cooling-off compared to the increase of 43 cents the previous month, according to AAA.

Nevada’s state average is now $4.25, a dime more than the last monthly survey on June 10, according to AAA Nevada, which tracks fuel costs as a service to consumers.

This gives Nevada the fifth highest average price in the United States among the lower 48 states.

The national average set a new record Tuesday at $4.11 a gallon for unleaded. That’s up 7 cents from a month ago.

There are now only 12 states with an average for unleaded gas under the $4 mark.

The price increases in both Las Vegas and Reno are modest compared to what has taken place through much of the spring and early summer.

Unlike past months, Las Vegas has a higher average price for unleaded than Reno. The average price for a gallon of regular unleaded gasoline in Las Vegas is $4.23, an 11-cent increase since last month’s survey on June 10. In Reno, the average price is $4.16, a 4-cent increase from last month.

AAA said gas prices increased 14 cents in Henderson and 12 cents in North Las Vegas over the past month.

“The low value of the U.S. dollar compared with international currencies and the growing demand for gasoline and oil in Asia continue to be the cost drivers behind rising gas prices,” Michael Geeser, AAA Nevada spokesman, said in a news release. “There will be dips in prices on any given day, but for the most part, any real relief won’t be felt until the dollar stabilizes and the price of crude oil starts to drop.”

Crude oil has now broken the $140 per barrel level. The longer crude oil prices stay elevated, the longer gas prices will remain high through the summer. Traditionally, gas prices start leveling off and even falling after July 4. But with crude oil prices remaining high, it would appear the gas price rise of 2008 may have more time to go.

Alaska has the highest average price for the entire country at $4.63; California has the highest average among the lower 48 states at $4.56.

The least expensive gasoline in the country is found in Greenville, S.C., where the average price of gas is $3.79. The highest average price in the nation is in Blythe, Calif., where the price is $4.83.