US motorists paid record-high prices for gasoline last year, as weather and political tensions drove up costs.

The nation’s average price for gasoline in 2012 was $3.60 per gallon, 9 cents more than the previous annual record, said the AAA’s branch in Heathrow, Fla.

“Factors as volatile as major hurricanes, refinery outages and tension in the Middle East resulted in significant frustration for people,” said AAA spokesman Avery Ash.