The national average for a gallon of gas dipped a mere two cents since last week to $3.22. Gas prices had been falling by more than twice as much recently, but the arrival of Hurricane Francine to the Gulf Coast created some temporary issues for nearby oil production and refining.
“Gasoline prices have been plunging in many areas, but as we get further into September, it is not uncommon to see them take a bit of a breather during hurricane season,” said Lori Weaver Hawkins. “Gasoline demand and oil costs are low, so pump prices may soon resume a slow descent. There are 14 states with averages below $3 a gallon, and despite some slowing down of the descent, several more states are likely to see their averages drop below that mark soon.”
The national average cost for public EV charging, however, held steady. With an estimated 1.2 million AAA members living in households with one or more electric vehicles, AAA tracks the average kilowatt-per-hour cost for all levels of public charging by state. Today’s national average for a kilowatt of electricity at a public charging station is 35 cents.
According to new data from the Energy Information Administration (EIA), gas demand increased slightly last week from 8.47 million b/d to 8.77. Meanwhile, total domestic gasoline stocks remained flat at 221.6 million barrels, while gasoline production increased last week, averaging 9.7 million barrels per day.
“Lackluster gasoline demand and oil costs will likely keep pump prices sliding,” Weaver Hawkins adds.
The national average of $3.22 is 2 cents lower than one week ago, 19 cents lower than a month ago and now 66 cents less than a year ago.
Today’s average in Kentucky is up a couple of pennies overnight to $2.88, which is 1 cent higher than one week ago, 29 cents lower than a month ago and 63 cents less than a year ago. Despite recent increases, Kentucky remains 10th lowest average gas price in the country.
The average gas price in Lexington dropped back down a couple of pennies overnight, now at $2.92. Lexington’s current gas price is just 4 cents lower than one week ago and 26 cents lower than a month ago. Today’s price is 54 cents lower than a year ago.
Around the Commonwealth, the highest county-level average gas price can be found in Lee County at $3.17. The cheapest county-wide average price of gasoline in the Commonwealth can again be found in Simpson County at $2.57.
Gas prices around the region
Checking elsewhere, the average price for a gallon of regular today in Ohio is at $3.11, West Virginia $3.08, Virginia $3.00, Indiana $3.20, Tennessee $2.78, Illinois $3.47 and Missouri $287. Missouri and Tennessee remains the only states bordering Kentucky with a lower gas price average.
The highest gasoline average price in the country is California at $4.75, while Mississippi has the lowest average gas price, now at $2.71.
Quick Stats
Since last Friday, these 10 states have seen the largest changes in their averages: Ohio (+15 cents), Washington, D.C. (-10 cents), Michigan +10 cents), Maine (-8 cents), New Hampshire (-8 cents), New Mexico (-8 cents), Virginia (-7 cents), Connecticut (-7 cents), Utah (-7 cents) and Rhode Island (-6 cents).
The nation’s 10 least expensive markets are Mississippi ($2.71), Oklahoma ($2.76), Tennessee ($2.78), Alabama ($2.78), Texas ($2.79), South Carolina ($2.79), Louisiana ($2.80), Arkansas ($2.82), Missouri ($2.87) and Kentucky ($2.88).
AAA gas-saving tips for fall travel
• Get your vehicle checked out. Perform regular car maintenance at the intervals recommended by the vehicle manufacturer in the owner’s manual or as indicated by the in-car maintenance reminder system. If you have an aging battery, be sure to have it tested before heading out on your trip.
• Keep tires properly inflated. Under-inflated tires can decrease your gas mileage by approximately 3%. Not to mention, properly inflated tires are safer and last longer. Check pressure in all four tires every two weeks with an accurate, hand-held air pressure gauge.
• Know your octane. Do not purchase mid-grade or premium gasoline unless your owner’s manual specifically recommends it. According to AAA research, Americans waste more than $2.1 billion annually on premium gas in vehicles designed to run on regular fuel. AAA found no benefit to using premium gas instead of regular-grade fuel. At the time of the study, 70% of U.S. drivers owned a vehicle that required only regular gasoline.
• Avoid idling. Idling gets zero miles per gallon. Letting your vehicle idle for more than 10 seconds uses more gas than shutting it off and restarting. Don’t start your car until you are ready to go. The engine actually warms up more quickly once the car is operating, and will stay warm after stopping. Avoid drive-up windows. Park and go inside instead.
• Observe the speed limit. Gas mileage decreases rapidly at speeds above 60 mph. Each 5 mph you drive over 60 mph is like paying an additional $0.15 per gallon of gas. Using cruise control on the highway helps you maintain a constant speed and, in most cases, will save gas.
• Drive sensibly. Aggressive driving (speeding, rapid acceleration and braking) wastes gas. It can lower your gas mileage by 33 percent at highway speeds and by 5 percent around town.
• Plan your trip. Carefully planning out your road trip can save you time and money. With a little planning, you can avoid retracing your route and reduce the distance you travel as well. You’ll not only save fuel, but also reduce wear and tear on your car.
• Minimize drag. Drag reduces fuel efficiency. Driving with the windows open, using roof- or rear-mounted racks and carrying heavy loads increase vehicle drag. A roof rack or carrier provides additional cargo space and may allow you to meet your needs in a smaller, more fuel-efficient car. However, a loaded roof rack can decrease your fuel economy by 5 percent. Reduce aerodynamic drag and improve your fuel economy by using a removable rack and placing items inside the trunk whenever possible. Avoid carrying unnecessary items, especially heavy ones. An extra 100 pounds in the trunk reduces a typical car’s fuel economy by 1-2%.
American Automobile Association
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