(June 6, 2021) WASHINGTON, D.C. —At $3.04, the national gas price average only increased one penny leading up to Memorial Day weekend. The majority of states saw no change to pump prices or a decline on the week. However, prices may not stay stagnant for long. Over the last two weeks demand has jumped to 9.4 million barrels a day — the highest reported number since early March 2020 and up nearly 30% over the same week last year, indicating motorists are filling up more frequently.

“Gasoline supply and demand levels are looking more like typical summer numbers as demand has steadily jumped week-over-week since the end of April and supply declines. The increasing demand and decreasing supply combined with more expensive crude oil prices mean gas prices are likely to fluctuate throughout June,” said Jeanette McGee, AAA spokesperson. “We could see some decreases early in the month and increases mid-month as the school year ends and summer travel increases.”

This past week's average is $1.05 more than last year at this time and 15 cents more expensive than last month. The May national gas price averaged $3/gallon. That is just 11 cents more than the May 2018 and 2019 national averages. With a $3+/gallon average at the start of June, this month could prove to be the most expensive average in years.

Quick stats

The nation’s top 10 largest weekly changes: Michigan (+9 cents), Indiana (+6 cents), Ohio (+6 cents), Illinois (+5 cents), Kentucky (+4 cents), California (+4 cents), Oklahoma (−4 cents), South Carolina (−3 cents), Texas (−3 cents) and Nebraska (−3 cents).

The nation’s top 10 least expensive markets: Louisiana ($2.70), Mississippi ($2.70), Texas ($2.70), Oklahoma ($2.71), Missouri ($2.71), Arkansas ($2.75), Kansas ($2.81), Alabama ($2.81), South Carolina ($2.82) and Minnesota ($2.83).