The Gist: Georgia drivers are finding more change in their pockets with every fill-up lately.
The Details: As fall leaves blanket the South, Georgia’s gas prices seem to be taking a cue, dropping steadily. At the start of the week, Georgians found themselves paying just $3.15 for a gallon of regular unleaded – that’s 9 cents less than the previous week, 42 cents down from last month, and 6 cents less than this time in 2022.
An average 15-gallon fill-up now costs drivers around $47.25, almost a full dollar cheaper than the same time last year. The trend echoes nationally, with the U.S. average at $3.70, down by 11 cents in just one week.
By The Numbers:
- Savannah: Holding as the priciest spot at $3.26 per gallon.
- Dalton: Enjoying the cheapest rate at $3.01 per gallon.
- National Record High: Gas reached a staggering $5.01 on 6/14/2022.
- Georgia’s Peak: The state saw its highest at $4.49 on 6/15/2022.
In Context: The decline isn’t just a local phenomenon. National gas prices have seen a decrease, driven by a dip in demand. Last week, the U.S. saw a drop in gas demand from 8.62 million barrels a day to 8.01 million. With the domestic gasoline stocks seeing a substantial boost by 6.5 million barrels, resulting in a total of 227 million barrels, the higher supply with dwindling demand pushes the prices down.
Why It Matters: It’s simple. More money in your wallet. Montrae Waiters, spokeswoman for AAA parallels the decline in prices with the falling autumn leaves. But it isn’t just nature at play here. Factors like Governor Brian Kemp’s move to suspend the state’s gas tax, slackening demand, and more affordable oil prices, all contribute to the decline. If this trend holds – and especially if oil prices take another dip – Georgians can expect even more savings at the pump in the near future.
