Georgians are experiencing a welcome respite at the pump as the state’s average gas price holds firm at $2.91 per gallon. This unusual stability marks no change from both the previous week and last month, providing a sharp contrast to national trends and sitting a significant 38 cents lower than prices a year ago. Filling a standard 15-gallon tank of regular gasoline in Georgia now costs drivers an average of $43.65, nearly $6.00 less than the expense for the same amount of fuel a year ago.

“While pump prices are trending higher in many parts of the country as summer travel winds down, Georgia gas prices remain steady,” said Montrae Waiters, AAA-The Auto Club Group spokeswoman. “Crude oil and fuel demand have both ticked upward, but these changes haven’t yet pushed prices higher for drivers in Georgia, offering a bit of relief for drivers wrapping up their seasonal road trips.”

National Picture: Fuel Prices Chill as Demand Sizzles

Nationally, the average gas price has seen a modest increase of just one cent since last Monday, reaching $3.15 per gallon. Despite this slight uptick, smooth conditions at the pump are largely persisting for drivers across the U.S. with roughly a month remaining in the traditional summer driving season.

New data from the Energy Information Administration (EIA) indicates a rise in gasoline demand, climbing from 8.96 to 9.15 million barrels per day. Concurrently, total domestic supply saw a decline from 231.1 million barrels to 228.4 million. Production, however, ticked up last week, averaging 10 million barrels daily.

Oil Market Dynamics

In the broader oil market, West Texas Intermediate (WTI) crude oil closed last Wednesday’s formal trading session higher, rising 79 cents to settle at $70 a barrel. The EIA also reported an increase in U.S. crude oil inventories, which rose by 7.7 million barrels from the prior week, bringing the total to 426.7 million barrels. Despite this increase, current crude levels remain approximately 6% below the five-year seasonal average.

The most expensive metro markets in Georgia are Savannah ($2.97), Atlanta ($2.94), and Athens ($2.92).

The least expensive metro markets in Georgia are Rome ($2.83), Dalton ($2.82), and Catoosa-Dade-Walker ($2.78)

Area gas price averages are Chattooga ($2.83), Floyd ($2.80), Walker ($2.80), Gordon ($2.82), DeKalb, AL ($2.68), Cherokee, AL ($2.70).