Monday, August 21, 2023–9:56 a.m.
-David Crowder, WRGA News-
Georgia’s gas price average decreased by two cents compared to a week ago.
Georgia drivers are now paying an average price of $3.61 per gallon for regular unleaded gasoline.
That’s still 28 cents more than a month ago, and 17 cents more than this time last year. It now costs almost $55.00 to fill a 15-gallon tank of regular gasoline. Drivers are paying almost $3.00 more to fill up at the pump compared to a year ago.
Local averages on Monday were $3.53 in Floyd County and Polk County, $3.55 in Bartow County, $3.57 in Gordon County, and $3.50 in Chattooga County.
“While Georgia gas price average continues to decrease, the national average has increased despite lower demand and the price of oil falling several dollars per barrel and struggling to stay above $80,” said Montrae Waiters, AAA-The Auto Club Group spokeswoman. “Georgians can anticipate pump prices to waver until mid-September.”
Weather May Decide Direction of Gas Prices
Since last Monday, the national average for a gallon of regular gasoline has increased by 2 cents to $3.86. The heat is returning to the southeast, and we are entering the heart of hurricane season. The potential for hurricane development and forecasts of an expanding heat dome over Texas, Oklahoma, and Kansas this week could push oil prices higher. Refineries in these states may have to curb production to deal with the sizzling temperatures. According to data from the Energy Information Administration (EIA), gas demand slid from 9.30 to 8.85 million barrels a day last week. Meanwhile, total domestic gasoline stocks slightly decreased from 216.4 to 216.2 million barrels. Although demand has fallen, fluctuating oil prices have kept pump prices elevated.