Release:
Georgia gas prices increased alongside rising crude oil. Georgia motorists are now paying an average price of $3.06 per gallon for regular unleaded gasoline. Monday’s state average is 8 cents more than a week ago, 8 cents more than last month and $1.07 more than this time last year.
It now costs motorists $45.90 to fill a 15-gallon tank of gasoline; that is $9.00 more than what motorists paid in January of 2020 when pump prices hit their peak of $2.46 per gallon.
“Georgia motorists saw a jump at the pump this weekend,” said Montrae Waiters, AAA-The Auto Club Group spokeswoman. “The probable cause for the increase appears to be an uptick in demand and the high price of crude oil, which is stubbornly staying above $70 per barrel. High crude prices will likely contribute to gas prices remaining elevated this season.”
HIGH COST OF CRUDE PUSHES NATIONAL AVERAGE UP
Since Monday, the national average for a gallon of regular gasoline has increased 7 cents to $3.26. According to data from the Energy Information Administration (EIA), total domestic gasoline stocks increased by 3.3 million barrel to 225.1 million barrel last week. Gasoline demand also increased slightly from 9.40 million barrels a day to 9.44 million barrels a day. The slight increase in gas demand has contributed to the rise in the national average. However, the main culprit for rising pump prices remains high crude prices above $70 per barrel.
At the close of last Thursday’s formal trading session, WTI increased by 87 cents to settle at $78.30. Prices increased today after the U.S. Department of Energy dispelled speculation that the Biden Administration would sell crude oil held in the U.S. Strategic Petroleum Reserve. The move could have put more crude into the domestic market, but it is unlikely to have had a sustained downward impact on oil prices. Additionally, prices rose earlier this week following OPEC+, which comprises the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC), Russia and their allies, choosing not to move forward with an agreement to produce 800,000 barrels a day in November. Instead, OPEC+ decided to keep its 400,000 barrels a day planned production increase intact for now. Prices have increased this week despite EIA’s latest report showing that total domestic crude inventories increased by 2.4 million barrels to 420.9 million barrels last week.
REGIONAL PRICES
Atlanta- $3.06
Most expensive Georgia metro markets – Savannah ($3.18), Hinesville-Fort Stewart ($3.15), and Brunswick ($3.11).
Least expensive Georgia metro markets – Catoosa-Dade-Walker ($2.98), Columbus ($2.99), and Augusta-Aiken ($3.00).
CURRENT AND PAST PRICE AVERAGES (Regular Unleaded Gasoline)
 | Sunday | Saturday | Week Ago | Month Ago | One Year Ago | 2020 Low | 2020 High | Record High |
| National | $3.26 | $3.26 | $3.19 | $3.17 | $2.18 | $1.76 (April) | $2.59 (January) | $4.11 (7/17/2008) |
| Georgia | $3.06 | $3.05 | $2.98 | $2.98 | $1.99 | $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.
