Analysts tracking fuel prices said the country would soon see them hit record highs.
Sen. Richard Blumenthal on Monday continued his pressure to suspend the federal gas tax. He also planned to introduce the Gas Price Relief Act.
The act would save Americans 18.4 cents per gallon.
Blumenthal also urged US oil companies and OPEC countries to take steps to pressure them to produce more. He said both are making record profits.
"I have urged the Federal Trade Commission to launch an investigation into the pricing," Blumenthal said. "Because I fear many consumers may fall victim to illegal overcharging and profiteering."
The senator described what he called a "perfect storm" of international and domestic issues that caused a pain in the pump.
Average gas prices in Hartford rose by 59.1 cents per gallon over the past week, according to GasBuddy.
The tech company, which operates an app and website that monitors fuel prices, said the average price for a regular gallon in the capital city was $4.28 on Monday.
GasBuddy said it surveyed 418 gas stations in the city.
Prices in Hartford were 73.8 cents a gallon higher than just a month ago.
“There are few words to describe the unprecedented rise in gasoline prices last week, with massive spikes in both gasoline and diesel prices coasting as oil prices hit their highest level since 2008. $4 per Forget the gallon mark, the nation will soon set a new record high and we could be approaching the national average of $4.50/gal. Patrick De Haan, head of petroleum analysis at GasBuddy, said, “California is heading towards $5.50 per gallon. "We've never been in this situation before, with this level of uncertainty. As we lose a major global producer under the weight of bipartisan sanctions qualified to invade a sovereign country, costs are high. Americans may have been feeling the pain of a price hike for a long time, which is not good news.
Prices are being driven by Russia's invasion of Ukraine.
On Sunday, the cheapest station in Hartford was priced at $3.53 per gallon, while the most expensive was $4.79 per gallon, a difference of $1.26 per gallon, according to a GasBuddy price report.
GasBuddy also reported prices in other metro areas.