Drivers around Chattanooga are seeing a fresh increase at the pump after another week of fuel-price movement.

A survey of 170 local stations placed the average gasoline price at approximately $3.69 per gallon on October 26.

That represents a rise of 8.1 cents compared with the previous week.

The same figures indicated that Chattanooga's average was still about 19.2 cents below its level a month earlier.

However, prices were approximately $1.20 per gallon higher than a year earlier, a sharp annual difference for households that rely on daily driving.

Price variation within the city also remained significant.

The cheapest station in the survey was listed at $3.19 per gallon, while the most expensive was $3.99.

That 80-cent spread means the location of a fill-up can make a noticeable difference in the cost of a tank.

Fuel prices can shift from day to day, so these numbers should be treated as a dated snapshot rather than a guaranteed price at any individual station.

For commuters who travel between Chattanooga and neighboring communities, small weekly changes can add up across repeated trips.

Travelers planning fall outings may want to compare stations along their regular route before buying fuel.

Drivers should also factor in whether going out of the way for a lower price would use more fuel than it saves.

Across Tennessee, the survey found even wider differences between the lowest and highest reported stations.

National wholesale trends, regional distribution costs and local competition can all influence what motorists ultimately pay.

Chattanooga drivers will be watching whether this week's increase continues or reverses.

For now, the most practical takeaway is to budget for the higher local average and compare actual posted prices.