National gas price average holds steady since Jan. 1

(January 14, 2020) Despite crude oil price fluctuation and growing geopolitical concerns with Iran in the last week, the national gas price average has held steady at $2.58 since the beginning of the year. Today’s national average is two cents more than last month and 34-cents more expensive than the beginning of 2019.

“A healthy and growing level of domestic gasoline stocks alongside decreasing demand are two factors helping to minimize gas price fluctuations,” said Jeanette Casselano, AAA spokesperson. “In the last week, about 32 states saw pump prices push less expensive by just a penny or two or saw no change at all.”

The Energy Information Administration (EIA) measures U.S. demand at 8.1 million barrels a day, which is the lowest reading for the first week of the year since January 2016. At 251.6 million barrels — the highest start of the year on record — gasoline stocks have only measured this high two other times in EIA history.

Quick Stats

    The nation’s top 10 largest weekly changes are: Michigan (+7 cents), Delaware (-5 cents), Minnesota (+4 cents), Ohio (+4 cents), Florida (-4 cents), Utah (-4 cents), Alaska (+3 cents), Indiana (+3 cents), Idaho (-3 cents) and Tennessee (-3 cents).

    The nation’s top 10 least expensive markets are: Missouri ($2.20), Oklahoma ($2.26), Texas ($2.27), Mississippi ($2.28), Arkansas ($2.28), Kansas ($2.29), Louisiana ($2.30), South Carolina ($2.34), Alabama ($2.35) and Tennessee ($2.36).