Gas prices in the United States are holding steady amidst what AAA refers to as the ‘summer doldrums.’ The national average for a gallon of regular unleaded fuel currently stands at $3.16, reflecting a slight drop from $3.22 a month earlier and significantly lower than last summer’s average of $3.51.
This summer, gasoline demand has risen noticeably, as indicated by the U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA), which reported an increase from 8.48 million barrels per day to 8.96 million over the past week. However, national gasoline supplies dipped only slightly, from 232.9 million barrels to 231.1 million. In contrast, production has ramped up, averaging 9.4 million barrels daily.
Crude oil inventories also experienced a decline, dropping by 3.2 million barrels last week, which leaves the U.S. total at 419 million barrels—approximately 9% below the five-year average for this time of year. As of Wednesday, West Texas Intermediate crude is priced at $65.25 per barrel.
In terms of electric vehicle charging costs, they have remained stable, with the national average for public EV charging sitting at 36 cents per kilowatt hour.
AAA’s weekly fuel update highlights a sense of calm at the gas pump, stating, “Drivers are feeling the slower pace of summer.” Industry analysts attribute the relative stability in gas prices to consistent oil prices, which have been hovering around $65 per barrel. Patrick De Haan, head of petroleum analysis at GasBuddy, commented, “It’s been another relatively quiet week for average gas prices.” He noted that gasoline demand is beginning to ease as August approaches, which could lead to gradual price reductions as the country draws closer to Labor Day.
However, De Haan also issued a word of caution about the potential challenges posed by the hurricane season, which often disrupts supply chains and can impact fuel prices.
Focusing on the local picture, Georgia’s statewide average for regular gas is currently at $2.91, significantly down from $3.33 at the same time last year. In Atlanta, the average price has slightly increased to $2.93 per gallon, remaining unchanged from last month and 41 cents lower than one year ago. The cheapest gas currently available in Atlanta is priced at $2.49 per gallon, while the highest has been reported at $3.99.
Other cities in Georgia are also seeing similar trends. Regular gas averages $2.93 in Athens, while Columbus reports a slightly lower figure at $2.88. In Rome, drivers benefit from some of the cheapest gas in the state at $2.81, and the northwest Georgia tri-county area—comprising Catoosa, Dade, and Walker counties—is seeing an average of just $2.76 for regular.
Gas prices in neighboring cities are also reflecting slight increases. Chattanooga’s average is $2.69, up four cents from last week, while Macon has seen a rise of six cents to reach $2.86.
On a broader note, California leads the nation with the highest average gas price at $4.48 per gallon, closely followed by Hawaii and Washington. In contrast, Mississippi boasts the cheapest average price at $2.70, with Louisiana and Oklahoma tied at $2.77.
The most expensive state for public EV charging is West Virginia at 52 cents per kilowatt hour, while Kansas and Missouri offer the lowest rates at 25 and 27 cents, respectively.
Historically, the highest recorded national average for regular unleaded was $5.02 on June 14, 2022, following a diesel peak at $5.82 shortly thereafter. In Georgia, the record for regular unleaded was set at $4.50 on June 15, 2022. While current prices are significantly lower than those highs, fuel expenses are still a concern for budget-conscious travelers and commuters.
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