//Pump prices increase ahead of Independence Day travel

Pump prices increase ahead of Independence Day travel

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ATLANTA, Ga., (June 28, 2021) — Georgia gas prices increased by two cents at the pump compared to a week ago as the Independence Day holiday nears. Georgia motorists are paying an average price of $2.91 per gallon for regular unleaded gasoline. Monday’s state average is two cents more than a week ago, one cent less than last month and 93 cents more than this time last year.

It costs Georgia motorists $43.65 to fill a 15-gallon tank of gasoline; that is $6.75 more than what motorists paid in January of 2020 when pump prices hit their peak of $2.46 per gallon.

“Despite the latest increase in demand, Georgia motorists are not seeing significant pump price jumps due to increasing stock levels, which have significantly built over the last four weeks,” said Garrett Townsend, AAA-The Auto Club Group Public Affairs Director. “Drivers may see higher pump prices, however, as stocks increase ahead of the Independence Day holiday weekend.”

NATIONAL AVERAGE REMAINS HIGH AS GAS DEMAND GROWS

Since Monday, the national average for a gallon of regular gasoline has held steady at $3.07. In its latest weekly report, new data from the Energy Information Administration (EIA) showed that gas demand increased from 9.36 million barrels a day to 9.44 million barrels a day, while total domestic gas stocks decreased by 3 million barrels to 240 million barrels. With supply and gas demand in sync for now, drivers are likely to see minimal fluctuations in prices through the weekend. However, increasing crude prices, while gas demand remains high, are likely to push pump prices higher ahead of the Independence Day holiday weekend. For the holiday, AAA expects 43 million Americans will drive to their destinations. That is the highest on record for this holiday and 5% more than the previous record in 2019.

OIL MARKET DYNAMICS

At the close of last Thursday’s formal trading session, WTI increased by 22 cents to settle at $73.30. Crude prices continue to ascend due to optimism that vaccine rollout will continue to help crude demand recover. In fact, the price of crude crossed the $73 per barrel threshold this week for the first time in nearly three years. Daily crude prices have not been this high since October 2018. Additionally, crude prices were bolstered by EIA’s latest report revealing that total domestic crude supplies decreased by 7.6 million barrels to 459.1 million barrels last week. 

REGIONAL PRICES 

  • Most expensive Georgia metro markets – Hinesville – Fort Stewart ($2.97), Savannah ($2.96), and Atlanta ($2.93).
  • Least expensive Georgia metro markets – Catoosa-Dade-Walker ($2.83), Columbus ($2.84), and Augusta – Aiken ($2.86).  

CURRENT AND PAST PRICE AVERAGES (Regular Unleaded Gasoline)  

 SundaySaturdayWeek AgoMonth AgoOne Year Ago2020Low2020HighRecord High
National$3.09$3.09$3.07$3.04$2.17$1.76 (April)$2.59 (January)$4.11   (7/17/2008)
Georgia$2.91$2.91$2.89$2.92$1.98$1.61 (May)$2.46 (January)$4.16   (9/15/2008)
Click here to view current gasoline price averages

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.

Visit the AAA Georgia Newsroom

Twitter @AAAGeorgia

About AAA – The Auto Club Group

The Auto Club Group (ACG) is the second largest AAA club in North America with more than 14 million members across 14 U.S. states, the province of Quebec and two U.S. territories. ACG and its affiliates provide members with roadside assistance, insurance products, banking and financial services, travel offerings and more. ACG belongs to the national AAA federation with more than 62 million members in the United States and Canada. AAA’s mission is to protect and advance freedom of mobility and improve traffic safety. For more information, get the AAA Mobile app, visit AAA.com, and follow us on Facebook, Twitter and LinkedIn.