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AAA reports 14 states now
show average price below $3

(September 20, 2024) WASHINGTON, D.C. —The national average for a gallon of gas dipped a mere two cents since last week to $3.22. Gas prices had been falling by more than twice as much recently, but the arrival of Hurricane Francine to the Gulf Coast created some temporary issues for nearby oil production and refining.

“Gasoline prices have been plunging lately, and it is not uncommon to see them take a bit of a breather during hurricane season,” said Andrew Gross, AAA spokesperson. “Gasoline demand and oil costs are low, so pump prices may soon resume a slow descent. There are 14 states with averages below $3 a gallon, and several more may soon follow.”

According to new data from the Energy Information Administration (EIA), gas demand increased slightly last week from 8.47 million b/d to 8.77. Meanwhile, total domestic gasoline stocks remained flat at 221.6 million barrels, while gasoline production increased last week, averaging 9.7 million barrels per day. Lackluster gasoline demand and low oil costs will likely keep pump prices sliding.  
Today’s national average for a gallon of gas is $3.22, 19 cents less than a month ago and 66 cents less than a year ago.



Quick stats

Since last Thursday, these 10 states have seen the largest changes in their averages: Ohio (+10 cents), Washington, D.C. (-9 cents), Maine (-8 cents), New Hampshire (-8 cents), Virginia (-7 cents), New Mexico (-7 cents), Connecticut (-7 cents), Michigan +6 cents), Utah (-6 cents), and Rhode Island (-6 cents).

The nation’s top 10 least expensive gasoline markets are Mississippi ($2.72), Oklahoma ($2.77), Texas ($2.78), Alabama ($2.78), Tennessee ($2.79), South Carolina ($2.79), Louisiana ($2.81), Arkansas ($2.82), Missouri ($2.88) and Kentucky ($2.88).