NEW YORK (AP) — The price of oil has shot up $11 a barrel in two weeks on rising demand in the U.S. and political upheaval in the Middle East. Gas prices are about to follow.

There's another factor: Bottlenecks that had trapped increasing amounts of domestically produced oil in the middle of the country are loosening. As that oil reaches the coasts, it can command prices more in line with costlier imported crudes.

An improving U.S. economy, highlighted by last week's encouraging data on hiring, is also supporting higher oil prices.

On Wednesday, oil rose 3 percent and topped $106 a barrel for the first time since March 27, 2012. A government report showing a sharp decline in crude oil supplies and rising gasoline demand was the catalyst for this latest surge.

Drivers should expect higher retail gasoline prices over the next week or so. Wholesale gasoline prices have risen 20 cents to 40 cents per gallon in some markets since June 28.

The average price for a gallon of gas rose 2 cents Wednesday to $3.50, according to AAA, OPIS and Wright Express. The price is still 14 cents cheaper than a month ago.

Any spike in gas prices could be short-lived. Analysts do not expect oil to rise much further — and many expect the price to soon reverse course.

U.S. oil prices have risen for a number of reasons, analysts say. Chief among them: two weeks of dramatic declines in crude and gasoline supplies that suggest the U.S. economy is picking up steam.