With Americans staying at home with the spread of COVID-19, gas prices continue to decline at the pump compared to a week ago. Georgia motorists are now paying an average price of $1.95 per gallon for regular unleaded. Monday's state average is 12-cents less than a week ago, 35-cents less than last month, and 54-cents less than this time last year.
It now costs $29.25 to fill a 15-gallon tank of gasoline; that is $11.85 less than what motorists paid in April of 2019, when pump prices hit their peak of $2.74 per gallon.
"Typically gas prices start to trend more expensive at the beginning of spring, especially as motorists get out to enjoy the warmer weather and travel for spring break. That is not the case this year,” said Montrae Waiters, spokeswoman, AAA – The Auto Club Group. “With Americans urged to stay at home and practice social distancing to slow the spread of coronavirus, we are seeing less traffic on the roadways which will ultimately drive down demand, increase gasoline supply and push pump prices less expensive for the foreseeable future.”
Crude Oil
With the national average at $2.12, pump prices are, on average, 50-cents less than this time last year. Crude oil is the biggest driver of the less expensive gas prices. In the last week, crude oil prices dropped to $22 a barrel – a low not seen since 2002. Crude oil accounts for nearly 60% of the retail pump price. When crude is cheap, gas prices follow suit. Motorists can expect to see prices continue to decline in the week ahead.
Regional Prices
Atlanta ($1.93)
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Most expensive Georgia metro markets –Hinesville-Fort Stewart ($2.35), Savannah ($2.29) and Brunswick ($2.28).
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Least expensive Georgia metro markets – Dalton ($2.09), Catoosa-Dade-Walker ($2.14) and Rome ($2.15).
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Hall County motorists are paying an average of $1.95 per gallon for gasoline. Other counties in the region are seeing far lower prices - Habersham County ($1.82), Barrow County ($1.85), Gwinnett County ($1.86), Jackson County ($1.88)
http://accesswdun.com/article/2020/3/889093/aaa-georgia-gas-prices-drop-12-cents-in-the-past-week