Only four states are seeing pump price averages above $2 a gallon, but will these low prices start to rise as spring refinery maintenance season gets underway?
Even as drivers continue to enjoy gas price savings—some 31 states have average gas prices at or below $1.75 per gallon—the national average gas price has grown for six straight days, marking the first time since early November that it has done so.
Does that mean the days of inexpensive fuel are soon to be behind us?
This time of year, regional swings in gas prices are normal. AAA reported that gas prices are likely to keep rising as we move toward the spring refinery maintenance season. What’s more, some refineries are cutting production in response to abundant gasoline supplies, which is also pushing prices up in some regions. Still, lower crude oil costs combined with abundant gasoline supplies should keep gas prices from growing to the highs we’ve seen in recent years.
Hawaii ($2.56) continues to have the most expensive gasoline in the nation, followed by California ($2.39). Hawaii, California, Alaska ($2.20) and Washington ($2.03) are the only states with averages above $2 per gallon, according to AAA’s Feb. 29 report.
Arizona ($1.52), Tennessee ($1.53) and South Carolina ($1.53) are paying the lowest average prices for gas.