Gas prices went up slightly again this week in Georgia. The statewide average for a gallon of regular unleaded gasoline is $3.25, which is 3 cents more than a week ago, 5 cents more than a month ago and 11 cents more than this time last year.
The weekly AAA Fuel Report released every Monday morning shows that Habersham County has the lowest gas prices in Northeast Georgia, and some of the lowest prices in the state, at $3.15 on average. Gainesville was also listed as one of the top three cities in the state with some of the cheapest prices at $3.19 on average.
The highest gas prices in our area can be found in Lumpkin County which has an average of $3.27.
Montrae Waiters, the spokeswoman for AAA, says the forecast is hopeful that gas prices will come back down before long. “Crude oil prices dropped due to ongoing market concerns about crude demand as fear of a recession has increased,” said Waiters. “If economic growth stalls or declines, crude demand is likely to follow suit alongside prices. Typically, if crude prices fall then gas prices decline, therefore, Georgia drivers may see prices dip at the pump this week.”
AAA says that Georgia’s slight uptick is not indicative of what is happening nationally as gas demand decreases. The new national average is $3.88 per gallon, which is a 3 cent decrease since last Monday. “Lower gasoline demand, amid increasing supply and fluctuating oil prices, has contributed to the national average moving downward,” says the report. “If demand continues to drop, as oil prices slide, drivers could see pump price increases slow and decreases grow this week.”
