Gas prices: U.S. average dips under $3, but not in every state
(NEXSTAR) The national average price for a gallon of regular gasoline has fallen below $3 for the first time since 2021, yet many states aren’t sharing in the bargain.
AAA announced on Thursday that the national average has held at $2.99 per gallon from Tuesday onward. The drop marks a milestone not seen since May 2021.
The organization attributes the low pump prices to softer crude oil costs and sagging demand. The mix is helped by winter-grade gasoline, which is cheaper to produce than the summer blend.
Oklahoma currently boasts the lowest statewide average for regular gas at about $2.40 per gallon, with neighboring Texas close behind at roughly $2.53.
Across 32 states, the regular-gas average remains under $3.
A few states aren’t far off. Maine sits at about $3.01 per gallon, while New Jersey is around $3.001.
California continues to have the nation’s highest average, at $4.51 per gallon, a small decrease from last week’s $4.56 but higher than last year’s $4.39.
Beyond California, only Hawaii ($4.44) and Washington state ($4.14) exceed $4 per gallon on average.
The following locations show regular-gas prices at or above $3 per gallon:
- Alaska: $3.68
- Arizona: $3.27
- California: $4.51
- Connecticut: $3.07
- District of Columbia: $3.20
- Hawaii: $4.44
- Idaho: $3.19
- Illinois: $3.12
- Maine: $3.01
- Massachusetts: $3.02
- Nevada: $3.68
- New Jersey: $3.00
- New York: $3.12
- Oregon: $3.75
- Pennsylvania: $3.20
- Utah: $3.02
- Vermont: $3.11
- Washington: $4.14
Even within some of these states, local pump prices can dip below $3. For instance, Decatur, Illinois, reports an average of about $2.73 per gallon, while in Vail, Colorado, averages are near $3.35, noticeably higher than the state average of $2.99.
No matter where a driver lives, many experts suggest filling up after the weekend when prices tend to be lowest, typically at the start of the week.
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