NEW YORK (CNN/Money) - Gasoline prices continued to climb Thursday as the average price of a gallon of regular unleaded rose to $2.251, according to AAA, the largest U.S. motorist organization.

On average, gas prices are highest in Hawaii at $2.479 for a gallon of regular unleaded; they're lowest in New Jersey at $2.054.

The previous high, reached before the latest run-up, was $2.054, notched May 26, 2004, according to AAA.

Diesel gas also hit a record high Thursday at $2.370 a gallon.

According to a weekly survey of service stations by the Energy Information Administration, the national pump price for regular unleaded gasoline jumped 6.4 cents during the past week and is up 44 cents from a year ago.

The EIA said pump prices are expected to keep rising through the Memorial Day holiday in late May, the beginning of the busy U.S. summer driving season.

Although the price of crude oil eased from Monday's peak, long-term price supports for crude remain intact -- including strong demand from the United States, rising demand from China and lower non-OPEC production. According to analysts, 40 percent of each barrel of crude goes toward gasoline production.

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