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Georgia motorists are getting at least a little relief at the pump heading into the Labor Day travel period, with the statewide average for regular gasoline falling after several weeks of increases.

AAA says the Georgia average is now about $3.78 per gallon, down roughly 3 cents from a week ago and 11 cents from a month ago. However, prices remain about 88 cents higher than this time last year. A typical 15-gallon fill-up at the current statewide average costs about $56.70.

AAA spokesperson Montrae Waiters said lower gasoline demand and strong refinery production have helped improve supplies and ease prices, but warned that crude oil remains elevated and geopolitical uncertainty could quickly send pump prices higher again.

Local Prices Remain Close To State Average

Across Northwest Georgia and Northeast Alabama, local county averages remain clustered around the mid-$3.60s to mid-$3.70s.

Chattooga County: $3.75
Walker County: $3.76
Floyd County: $3.68
Gordon County: $3.73
DeKalb County, Alabama: $3.67
Cherokee County, Alabama: $3.60

Among those counties, Cherokee County, Alabama currently has the lowest average at $3.60, while Walker County is the highest at $3.76.

Floyd County is also benefiting from one of the lower metro-area averages in Georgia. AAA lists Rome at about $3.69 per gallon, making it one of the least expensive metro markets in the state, along with Dalton and Albany.

Alabama Slightly Cheaper Overall

AAA’s current statewide average in Alabama is about $3.70 per gallon, approximately eight cents below Georgia’s average. Alabama prices are also lower than a month ago, but remain significantly above where they stood one year ago.

The national average remains considerably higher, at about $4.08 per gallon. AAA says the national average has remained above $4 throughout August as crude oil prices have stayed around $80 per barrel amid continued volatility surrounding the Strait of Hormuz.

For local drivers, the recent decline offers some welcome relief, but with Labor Day travel approaching and uncertainty remaining in the oil market, AAA says motorists should not assume the downward trend will continue.