Georgia drivers face higher costs at the pump this week as gas prices continue their upward climb, reaching $3 per gallon for regular unleaded fuel.
⛽ What We Know: The statewide average jumped 6 cents over the past week, matching last month’s increase. However, today’s prices still remain 17 cents below last year’s levels. A 15-gallon tank now costs Georgia drivers $45 to fill – about $3 less than the same time last year.
❓ What Changed?: Montrae Waiters, spokeswoman for AAA, points to two key factors driving the increase. First, refineries have begun their annual transition to summer fuel blends. Second, a February first explosion at a Northern California refinery disrupted operations, affecting supplies nationwide.
📊 Why It Matters: The price increases impact nearly every Georgia resident who drives. Atlanta leads metro areas with prices at $3.06 per gallon, while Dalton offers the lowest average at $2.91.
🔮 What’s Next: Experts warn prices could continue climbing as spring approaches. The switch to summer fuel blends typically brings higher costs, and ongoing refinery maintenance could further strain supplies.
💡 Take Action: Drivers can fight back against rising prices by:
- Shopping around for the best gas prices in their area
- Paying cash instead of credit when possible
- Maintaining vehicles for optimal fuel efficiency
- Combining errands to reduce total driving time
⛽ About Gas Prices: Gas prices can change frequently, and there are many reasons why. It isn’t as simple as most people think. The biggest reason is the cost of crude oil, which can go up or down based on both world events and how much people want it. There are also costs to make the oil into gas and get it to gas stations. Different locations have different types of gas, and that can also change the price. Taxes also add to the cost. Sometimes, bad weather or problems at oil refineries can make prices go up or down quickly. Also, if the U.S. dollar is strong or weak, that can affect the price. All these things together give us the final price we see when we fill up our tanks.
B.T. Clark
B.T. Clark is an award-winning journalist and the Publisher of The Georgia Sun. He has 25 years of experience in journalism and served as Managing Editor of Neighbor Newspapers in metro Atlanta for 15 years and Digital Director at Times-Journal Inc. for 8 years. His work has appeared in several newspapers throughout the state including Neighbor Newspapers, The Cherokee Tribune and The Marietta Daily Journal. He is a Georgia native and a fifth-generation Georgian.
