AAA Gas Price Brief: Drivers should expect to pay more at the pump this spring

TAMPA, Fla. — The national average price for regular unleaded gasoline hit their highest price point of 2018 on Saturday at $2.663 per gallon. Today's average is a half cent more than last week, 13 cents more than a month ago, and 28 cents more than last year. Gas prices have edged higher this week following the Energy Information Administration’s (EIA) latest weekly report that showed gasoline stocks dropped by 1.1 million barrels last week. Additionally, demand for gasoline continues to remain robust at 9.2 million barrels a day as the spring driving season kicks off, which saw demand measured at 9.25 million barrels a day at the same time in 2017. Drivers are likely to continue seeing prices increase as stations across the country begin to switchover to the more expensive summer blend ahead of the busy driving season. 

"Supply and demand are the biggest factors driving the price at the pump," said Josh Carrasco, spokesperson, AAA - The Auto Club Group. "More motorists on the roadways, tight supply, and record crude exports have the potential for higher prices as we head into the spring." 

At the close of Friday’s formal trading session on the NYMEX, West Texas Intermediate crude oil decreased $1.48 to settle at $62.06. WTI has taken a hit alongside the equities market in the U.S. According to EIA reports, crude exports hit a record high of 15.2 million barrels last week. Domestic crude production also hit a record high 10.5 million barrels a day last week, which contributed to the U.S. shipping more oil to other countries.

Regional Gas Prices

Florida gas prices decreased by nearly 3 cents compared to a week ago. On average, Florida motorists are paying 9 cents more for a gallon of unleaded regular than one month ago, and 19 cents more compared to last year. Sunday's state average of $2.61 is just 6 cents below the highest price of 2018.

Gas prices had the most expensive start to April in four years, averaging $2.63 during the first 8 days of the month - an increase of 28 cents from April 2017.

• The most expensive gas price averages in Florida are in West Palm Beach-Boca Raton ($2.74), Crestview-Fort Walton Beach ($2.72), and Fort Lauderdale ($2.69).
• The least expensive gas price averages in Florida are in Tampa-St. Petersburg-Clearwater ($2.55), Orlando ($2.55), Melbourne - Titusville ($2.56).

Georgia gas prices are down fractions of a penny from last week's average at $2.575 per gallon. Georgia gas prices hit their highest point of the year on April 2nd ($2.58). Currently motorists in the state are paying 16 cents more than one month ago and 30 cents more than this same time last year.

Gas prices had the most expensive start to April in four years, averaging $2.58 during the first 8 days of the month - an increase of 35 cents from April 2017.

• The most expensive gas price averages in Georgia are in Hinesville-Fort Stewart ($2.63), Brunswick ($2.63), Savannah ($2.61)
• The least expensive gas price averages in Georgia are in Catoosa-Dade-Walker ($2.48), Dalton ($2.50), and Warner Robbins ($2.51)

Tennessee gas prices hit their highest price of the week on April 4th at $2.465 a gallon. Today the state average is $2.46, 15 cents higher than one month ago and 32 cents higher than the same time last year. 

Gas prices had the most expensive start to April in four years, averaging $2.46 during the first 8 days of the month - an increase of 36 cents from April 2017.

• The most expensive gas price averages in Tennessee are in Nashville ($2.51), Cleveland ($2.49), and Kingsport-Bristol ($2.47)
• The least expensive gas price averages in Tennessee are in Memphis ($2.40), Knoxville ($2.43), and Chattanooga ($2.44)

Gas Price Tools

• Daily national, state, and metro gas price averages can be found at Gasprices.aaa.com 
• Motorists can find the lowest gas prices on their smartphone or tablet with the free AAA Mobile app. The app can also be used to map a route, find discounts, book a hotel and access AAA roadside assistance.

                                   CURRENT AND PAST PRICE AVERAGES
                                             Regular Unleaded Gasoline

Gas Price Survey Methodology
AAA updates fuel price averages daily at www.GasPrices.AAA.com. Every day up to 130,000 stations are surveyed based on credit card swipes and direct feeds in cooperation with the Oil Price Information Service (OPIS) and Wright Express for unmatched statistical reliability. All average retail prices in this report are for a gallon of regular, unleaded gasoline.

About The Auto Club Group
The Auto Club Group (ACG) is the second largest AAA club in North America.  ACG and its affiliates provide membership, insurance, financial services and travel offerings to over 9.5 million members across eleven states and two U.S. territories including Florida, Georgia, Iowa, Michigan, Nebraska, North Dakota, Tennessee, Wisconsin, Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands; most of Illinois and Minnesota; and a portion of Indiana.  ACG belongs to the national AAA federation with more than 58 million members in the United States and Canada and whose mission includes protecting and advancing freedom of mobility and improving traffic safety. Motorists can map a route, identify gas prices, find discounts, book a hotel, and access AAA roadside assistance with the AAA Mobile app for iPhone, iPad and Android. Learn more at AAA.com/mobile. AAA clubs can be visited on the Internet at AAA.com.