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NEWS RELEASE |
Florida Georgia Michigan Tennessee |
U.S. AVERAGE PRICE (Per Gallon) |
AAA: OPEC PASSES PRODUCTION CUT; PRICE PLUNGE STALLS IN THE SOUTH
AAA Launches Fuel Rewards® Program for Members
TAMPA, Fla. (December 10, 2018) — The discount at the pump is beginning to slow down in some southern states. During the past month and a half, the national average has declined 1-2 cents a day. Over the weekend, the national average declined fractions of a penny.
"The plunge at the pump could soon come to an end," said Mark Jenkins, spokesman, AAA - The Auto Club Group. "Pump prices are close to catching up with the crude price plunge. However, oil prices are beginning to rise, after OPEC announced a production cut agreement on Friday. Regardless, drivers should continue to enjoy low gas prices through the end of the year, unless oil prices suddenly spike."
Sunday's national average price of $2.42 per gallon is 5 cents less than a week ago, almost 30 cents less than last month, and 4 cents less than this time last year. The national average has declined 60 consecutive days for a total discount of 49 cents.
Oil Prices Edge Higher on OPEC Production Cut Agreement
At the close of Friday’s formal trading session on the NYMEX, WTI increased $1.12 to settle at $52.61 per barrel. Oil prices rallied Friday after the Organization for Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) announced that beginning in January 2019, the cartel – alongside non-OPEC members, including Russia – will reduce combined crude oil production by 1.2 million b/d. The cut will be in place for six months and will use October 2018 as a baseline, a time when OPEC and Russia had less crude output than in November. With the announcement, crude prices will likely increase in 2019 ahead of the higher demand driving season next summer. Increased crude prices will likely lead to higher gas prices, given that approximately 50 percent of the cost motorists pay at the pump is based on the cost of crude used to make gasoline.
In related news, EIA’s report for the week ending on November 30 revealed that crude inventories decreased by 7.3 million bbl after 10 weeks of consecutive growth. Total domestic crude inventories now sit at 443.2 million bbl, which is approximately 5 million bbl less than their level at this time last year. Declining inventories contributed to the increase in crude prices this week, and if the trend continues, prices could climb further.
Gas Price Plunge Begins to Slow
Gas prices in Florida declined fractions of a penny on Sunday, after declining 1-2 cents a day for the past seven weeks. Average prices followed the same trend in most major metro markets around the state.
Sunday's state average of $2.28 per gallon is 6 cents less than a week ago, 30 cents less than last month, and 13 cents less than this time last year.
The average price in Florida has declined the past 61 consecutive days for a total discount of 54 cents.
Click here to view AAA's state and metro gas price averages
- Most expensive gas price averages: Panama City ($2.66), Miami ($2.51), and Crestview-Fort Walton Beach ($2.47)
- Least expensive gas price averages: Tampa Bay ($2.13), Orlando ($2.14), and Jacksonville ($2.14)
Gas prices in Georgia declined fractions of a penny on Sunday, after dropping 1-2 cents a day for the past seven weeks. Average prices in most major metro markets around the state followed the same trend.
Sunday's state average of $2.22 is 7 cents less than a week ago, 36 cents less than last month, and 11 cents less than this time last year.
The average price in Georgia has declined the past 58 consecutive days for a total discount of 59 cents.
Click here to view AAA's state and metro gas price averages
- Most expensive gas price averages: Hinesville-Fort Stewart ($2.42), Brunswick ($2.33), and Savannah ($2.32)
- Least expensive gas price averages: Dalton ($2.06), Rome ($2.08), and Catoosa-Dade-Walker ($2.10)
Gas prices in Michigan are declining again, after rising an average of 11 cents last week. Sunday's state average of $2.34 per gallon is 6 cents more than a week ago, yet remains less than the previous 2018-low of $2.42 per gallon, set in February.
"Despite the recent jump at the pump, Michigan drivers are saving almost $3 on a full tank of gas, compared to this time last year," said Nancy Cain, spokesperson, AAA - The Auto Club Group. "Oil prices are beginning to increase, after OPEC announced a production cut agreement on Friday. Regardless, drivers should continue to enjoy low gas prices through the end of the year, unless oil prices suddenly spike."
The average price for gasoline in Metro Detroit only increased 2 cents last week. Sunday's average price of $2.33 per gallon is 3 cents less than a week ago, 35 cents less than last month, and 17 cents less than this time last year.
Click here to view AAA's state and metro gas price averages
- Most expensive gas price averages: Marquette ($2.42), Ann Arbor ($2.38), and Jackson ($2.37)
- Least expensive gas price averages: Traverse City ($2.29), Flint ($2.32), and Benton Harbor ($2.33)
Gas prices in Tennessee continue falling like autumn leaves. The state average has declined the past 59 consecutive days for a total of 52 cents.
Sunday's state average of $2.17 per gallon is 7 cents less than last week, 34 cents less than last month, and 9 cents less than this time last year.
"Gas prices in Tennessee could drop another 5-8 cents this week, but should level off soon," said Mark Jenkins, spokesman, AAA - The Auto Club Group. "Pump prices are close to catching up with the recent plunge in crude and gasoline futures prices. However, futures prices are beginning to increase, after OPEC announced a production cut agreement on Friday. Regardless, drivers should continue to enjoy low gas prices through the end of the year, unless oil prices suddenly spike."
Click here to view AAA's state and metro gas price averages
- Most expensive gas price averages: Nashville ($2.28), Johnson City ($2.28), and Clarksville-Hopkinsville ($2.22)
- Least expensive gas price averages: Cleveland ($2.01), Chattanooga ($2.01), and Knoxville ($2.10)
AAA Launches Fuel Rewards® Program for Members
AAA members can now save even more money at the pump, thanks to a new Fuel Rewards® program with Shell. Members who sign-up at AAA.com/Shell, can save up to five cents per gallon (on up to 20 gallons) through December 31, 2019, when filling up at participating Shell branded stations across the United States. Members who register for the first time will save an additional 25 cents per gallon (on up to 20 gallons) on their first fill-up through January 31, 2019. Before providing payment when filling up, members will see prices roll back at the pump after they enter their Fuel Rewards® Alternative ID, which is typically a phone number.
Gas Price Tools
- GasPrices.AAA.com - Daily national, state, and metro gas price averages
- AAA Mobile app - Free app that compares gas prices near you
- Gas Cost Calculator - Determine how much gasoline will cost on your next road trip
CURRENT AND PAST PRICE AVERAGES
Regular Unleaded Gasoline
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Sunday | Saturday | Week Ago | Month Ago | One Year Ago | 2018 Low | 2018 High | Record High |
| National | $2.423 | $2.427 | $2.467 | $2.712 | $2.465 | $2.49 (1/3/2018) | $2.97 (5/26/2018) | $4.11 (7/17/2008) |
| Florida | $2.281 | $2.284 | $2.339 | $2.583 | $2.412 | $2.44 (1/2/2018) | $2.92 (5/25/2018) | $4.08 (7/17/2008) |
| Georgia | $2.216 | $2.221 | $2.288 | $2.579 | $2.326 | $2.35 (1/2/2018) | $2.84 (5/27/2018) | $4.16 (9/15/2008) |
| Michigan | $2.343 | $2.354 | $2.281 | $2.629 | $2.520 | $2.42 (2/21/2018) | $3.13 (5/25/2018) | $4.26 (5/4/2011) |
| Detroit | $2.333 | $2.340 | $2.360 | $2.677 | $2.502 | $2.44 (2/27/2018) | $3.11 (5/25/2018) | $4.24 (5/4/2011) |
| Tennessee | $2.169 | $2.176 | $2.241 | $2.505 | $2.258 | $2.26 (1/1/2018) | $2.73 (5/27/2018) | $4.12 (9/15/2008) |
| Click here to view current gasoline price averages | ||||||||
Gas Price Survey Methodology
AAA updates fuel price averages daily at www.GasPrices.AAA.com. Every day up to 130,000 stations are surveyed based on credit card swipes and direct feeds in cooperation with the Oil Price Information Service (OPIS) and Wright Express for unmatched statistical reliability. All average retail prices in this report are for a gallon of regular, unleaded gasoline.
About The Auto Club Group
The Auto Club Group (ACG) is the second largest AAA club in North America. ACG and its affiliates provide membership, insurance, financial services and travel offerings to over 9.6 million members across eleven states and two U.S. territories including Florida, Georgia, Iowa, Michigan, Nebraska, North Dakota, Tennessee, Wisconsin, Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands; most of Illinois and Minnesota; and a portion of Indiana. ACG belongs to the national AAA federation with more than 59 million members in the United States and Canada and whose mission includes protecting and advancing freedom of mobility and improving traffic safety. Motorists can map a route, identify gas prices, find discounts, book a hotel, and access AAA roadside assistance with the AAA Mobile app for iPhone, iPad and Android. Learn more at AAA.com/mobile. Visit AAA on the Internet at AAA.com.