TRENTON, N.J. (AP) -- Motorists are seeing sharply higher prices at the pumps in New Jersey.

AAA Mid-Atlantic says the average price of regular gasoline in New Jersey on Friday was $3.63, up 7 cents from last week. That's also much higher than the cost a year ago, when motorists were paying $2.58.

It's the first time in seven weeks that pump prices have risen in New Jersey.

Meanwhile, the national average price rose by 8 cents to $3.67. That's also much higher than the national average from a year ago, which was $2.72.

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