News Summary
Gas prices across the U.S. have stabilized, with the national average at $3.16 a gallon, down from $3.22 last month. Increased gasoline demand has been noted, rising to 8.96 million barrels per day. However, national gasoline supplies dipped slightly. In Georgia, the average price is $2.91, showing a decrease compared to last year. Analysts point to stable oil prices, hovering around $65 per barrel, as a reason for the lack of significant price swings. Concerns over supply chain disruptions could impact future prices as the July 4th travel period approaches.
Atlanta – Gas prices across the United States have remained mostly steady, with the national average for a gallon of regular unleaded fuel currently at $3.16. This represents a slight decrease from $3.22 a month ago and is significantly lower than last summer’s average of $3.51. Despite the rise in gasoline demand nationwide, fluctuating crude oil pricing has kept the costs at the pump relatively stable.
Over the past week, gasoline demand increased from 8.48 million barrels per day to 8.96 million barrels per day. However, national gasoline supplies have dipped slightly, falling from 232.9 million barrels to 231.1 million. The average daily gasoline production stood at 9.4 million barrels. Meanwhile, crude oil inventories have also experienced a decline, dropping by 3.2 million barrels to a total of 419 million barrels, which is approximately 9% below the five-year average for this time of year. As a result of these market dynamics, West Texas Intermediate crude closed at $65.25 per barrel on Wednesday.
Despite these shifts in demand and supply, analysts have pointed to stable oil prices as a reason for the lack of significant price swings in gasoline. With crude prices hovering around $65 per barrel, consumers are seeing a gradual but potentially easing trend in gasoline prices leading up to Labor Day. However, experts warn that supply chain disruptions related to the hurricane season could impact prices later in the summer.
Regional Trends in Georgia
In Georgia, the statewide average price for regular unleaded gasoline is now $2.91, down from $3.33 a year ago. In Atlanta, gas prices saw a slight increase to $2.93 a gallon, remaining unchanged from a month prior, but still 41 cents lower than prices from the same time last year. The lowest reported gas price in Atlanta was $2.49 per gallon, while the highest reached $3.99.
Other average prices in Georgia include $2.93 in Athens, $2.88 in Columbus, $2.81 in Rome, and $2.76 in Catoosa, Dade, and Walker counties. Nearby Chattanooga also reported a slight increase to an average price of $2.69, up by 4 cents from the previous week. Conversely, Macon saw a rise of 6 cents, bringing gas prices to $2.86.
Comparative Prices Nationwide
On a national scale, California continues to lead the country with the highest average gas price at $4.48 per gallon, while Mississippi enjoys the lowest average at $2.70. Louisiana and Oklahoma also report lower averages at $2.77. It is notable that the national average for regular unleaded gasoline peaked at $5.02 on June 14, 2022, and diesel prices reached a high of $5.82 shortly thereafter. Similarly, in Georgia, prices hit a record high of $4.50 on June 15, 2022. Currently, diesel in Georgia is priced at $3.60, reflecting a slight increase from last week but still a decrease compared to a year ago.
As the July 4th travel period approaches, it is anticipated that the national average price of gasoline will reach its lowest July 4 level since 2021, predicted to settle around $3.15 per gallon. Prior to this travel surge, prices in Georgia averaged $44.10 for a 15-gallon tank.
Deeper Dive: News & Info About This Topic
- Fox 5 Atlanta
- WSB TV
- WGAU Radio
- Atlanta News First
- 11 Alive News
- Wikipedia: Gasoline
- Google Search: Georgia gas prices
- Google Scholar: gas prices analysis
- Encyclopedia Britannica: gasoline prices
- Google News: Georgia gas prices 2025
