Gasoline prices have risen to their highest levels in two years. Driven largely by the surge in raw oil prices, there is also a stealth component also inflating prices at the pump. Together, they are squeezing Americans and bedeviling the economy.

Since this time last year, Americans are paying an average of 77 cents more per gallon for gasoline. That’s an increase of 28 percent. The average price nationally paid for regular unleaded is $3.56 – up from $2.79.

To gauge the impact on families, a 77 cent increase per gallon means if you drive only 1,000 miles per month in a vehicle that gets 15 miles per gallon, you will spend $51 dollars more each month to do so.

In the same scenario, if you must use mid-grade or premium fuel, the relative impact is a bit less, although you now pay $3.69 and $3.82, respectively, compared to $2.96 and $3.06 a year ago.

Wondering about gas price data for your state?

Here’s a sampling for your reference.

AAA places each of the 50 states into one of five price groups. Interestingly, most of the states in the two groups with the lowest gas prices are in the Southeast. For example:

South Carolina and Tennessee are in the lowest price range of $3.27 - $3.42.

Alabama and Louisiana are in the next lowest price range of $3.43 - $3.49.

Meanwhile, Florida is the only southeastern state in the middle group which has a gasoline price range of $3.49 - $3.55.

Not surprisingly, northern and western states generally are more expensive.

Connecticut and Vermont are classified in the second highest group by AAA paying $3.55 - $3.60 per gallon. And drivers in the most expensive group of states, including Hawaii and Illinois, are paying $3.63 - $4.00 per gallon.

Don’t be misled by shallow or misleading media reportage regarding the effects of seasonal increases in driving. Simply put, that has yet to kick in. And, when it does kick in, will be included in AAA calculations, the source of the data above.

Here’s another perspective on the impact of the “Gas Price Squeeze” excerpted from data provided by the Oil Price Information Service:

“On a national basis, the average household (spent) roughly $305 on gasoline in December 2010.” That amount – $305 dollars – was “up 13.6 percent compared to December 2009.” But that amount was “up a whopping 76 percent from December 2008.”

That is indeed noteworthy given that is just over two years ago “consumers paid about $1.65 per gallon.”

While gasoline pump price increases are quite real, there is another reality:

They are unacceptable. Why? Two reasons:

First, the price increases due to raw oil costs were avoidable.

Second, pump prices are inflated by an elemental cost that often goes unnoticed or not discussed: Taxes!

Regardless of where you live or purchase gas, embedded within the retail pump price you pay at the pump is a federal tax of 18 cents per gallon. That has the effect of inflating the cost of each gallon of gas you purchase. Given the average vehicle tank holds 15-18 gallons that means the feds drive up your cost to fill-up by around $3. But it doesn’t stop there. 

Each state has jumped aboard the “tax ‘em-at-the-gas-pump” bandwagon.

Here’s the skinny. For consistency, I’ll use the same states noted above and include the federal tax in the tax total displayed.

In South Carolina, embedded gas taxes total 35 cents per gallon.

In Tennessee: 39 cents.

In Alabama, gas taxes total 39 cents.

In Louisiana: 38 cents.

Florida gas taxes add 52 cents to the real cost per gallon.

Could it be worse? Well, yes.

In Illinois – President Obama’s home state - 57 cents per gallon is confiscated.

And in Hawaii – Obama’s birth state – 62 cents per gallon is taken.

But, that has to be coincidence, right? The bottom line is the retail price at the pump is too high. Next week, I’ll address the raw oil price surge and other cost components.

Visit www.keysurveys.us to answer this week’s poll question, “Should federal gas taxes be cancelled, suspended or cut in-half?”

Richard Olivastro is president of Olivastro Communications and founder of Citizens for Change. A professional member of the National Speakers Association, he is available pro bono for charitable fundraisers and public forums and can be reached via e-mail at RichOlivastro@gmail.com or by phone at 1-877-RichSpeaks.