January gas price trend indicates a more expensive year at the pump
(January 23, 2018) Today’s national gas price average is $2.54, one cent more than last week. The Energy Information Administration (EIA) reports that while gasoline demand modestly decreased (146,000 barrels a day), gasoline inventory increased by 3.6 million barrels.
Combined, these two factors resulted in minimal impact on the national average this week. On the week, gas prices increased for 41 states with Florida seeing the largest jump at the pump with a nine-cent increase.
“For consumers, the questions is how high are gas prices going to go in 2018,” said Jeanette Casselano, AAA spokesperson. “Since 2014, gas prices decreased as much as 20 cents in the first three weeks of the year. This year, gas prices are five cents more than on January 1 of this year, a possible indication that prices in 2018 will likely be more expensive than last year.”
Today, motorists can find gas for $2.50 or less at 58 percent of gas stations nationwide.
Quick Stats
The largest yearly changes in the top 10 markets are: California (+39 cents), Indiana (+37 cents), Michigan (+32 cents), Alaska (+30 cents), Oregon (+28 cents), Hawaii (+28 cents), Montana (+28 cents), Ohio (+27 cents), Illinois (+25 cents) and Tennessee (+25 cents).
The nation’s top 10 least expensive markets are: Texas ($2.29), Missouri ($2.30), Alabama ($2.30), Mississippi ($2.31), South Carolina ($2.32), Arkansas ($2.32), Arizona ($2.34), New Mexico ($2.35), Oklahoma ($2.35) and Tennessee ($2.36).