Gas prices may have hit their annual peak, according to this week's fuel price report from AAA-The Auto Club Group. The national average price for a gallon of gasoline has declined for eight consecutive days. Regionally, prices have been falling longer: 12 days in Florida (5¢) and Georgia (6¢), and 11 days in Tennessee (6¢).
"Gas prices usually hit their highest point of the year during the first six months and that could be what has happened in the past couple weeks," said AAA spokesman Mark Jenkins.
"Gasoline supply shouldn't be a problem moving forward, as refineries increase production this time of year to meet increased demand for the summer travel season. However, pump prices could rise if there are swings in the price of crude, supply disruptions, or if a major storm moves into the Gulf of Mexico. After the summertime, prices usually decline through the fall and winter seasons, as people drive less and demand for fuel declines."
In the southern states, gas prices hit their highest point of the year on June 7. On that day, the average price was $2.35 in Florida, $2.28 in Georgia, and $2.20 in Tennessee. The national average peaked on June 11 at $2.38. Pump prices reached their lowest point of the year on February 25, when averages were $1.74 in Florida, $1.64 in Georgia, and $1.50 in Tennessee. Last year, gasoline peaked at $2.72 in both Georgia and Florida, on June 15 and 18 respectively; and $2.58 in Tennessee on June 17.
The price of crude oil continues to have a major impact on prices at the pump, and crude prices are falling. West Texas Intermediate settled at $47.98 a barrel on the NYMEX, averaging $47.91 for the week - the lowest weekly average since May 20. The decline is attributed to reports of increased output from major production countries like Iran, Saudi Arabia and Russia.
