September Gas Prices Averaged Highest in Four Years

SEPTEMBER GAS PRICES WERE HIGHEST IN FOUR YEARS

TAMPA, Fla. (October 1, 2018) — Gas prices are on the rise across the U.S. The national average was $2.88 per gallon on Sunday, an increase of 3 cents from the week before. Although pump prices are 32 cents per gallon more than a year ago, the national average remains 9 cents less than this year's high - established during Memorial Day weekend.

"Concerns about how sanctions against Iranian crude will impact global oil supply began to weigh on the market last week," said Mark Jenkins, spokesman, AAA - The Auto Club Group. "Crude oil prices climbed and dragged gasoline prices higher as a result. The $5 per barrel shift in crude can signal a 25 cent hike at the pump. However, low seasonal gasoline demand and a cheaper-to-produce winter-blend gasoline may should offset some of that upward pressure."

Regional Gas Prices

Gas prices in Florida jumped 10 cents last week. Sunday's state average of $2.82 per gallon is the highest daily average since August. Pump prices are 20 cents per gallon more than this time last year. However, the current average remains 10 cents less than this year's high - established on Memorial Day weekend.

Florida motorists found the most expensive September gas prices in four years. Prices at the pump averaged $2.77 per gallon last month - an increase of 9 cents from September 2017, and 59 cents more than September 2016. The higher prices this year are mostly attributed to more expensive crude oil. WTI crude averaged $70 per barrel last month - $20 per barrel more than September 2017, and $25/b more than September 2016.

Click here to view AAA's state and metro gas price averages

• The most expensive gas price averages in Florida are in West Palm Beach-Boca Raton ($2.91), Crestview-Fort Walton Beach ($2.85), and Miami ($2.85)
• The least expensive gas price averages in Florida are in Tallahassee ($2.78), Punta Gorda ($2.78), and Jacksonville ($2.79)

Gas prices in Georgia increased 1-cent last week. Sunday's state average of $2.72 per gallon is 2 cents more than a month ago and 9 cents more than this time last year. Georgia gas prices have hovered within 5 cents of their current range since early August. The state average remains 12 cents less than this year's high - established on Memorial Day weekend.

Georgia motorists found the most expensive September gas prices in four years. Prices at the pump averaged $2.72 per gallon last month - an increase of 3 cents from September 2017 and 50 cents per gallon more than September 2016. The higher prices this year are mostly attributed to more expensive crude oil. WTI crude averaged $70 per barrel last month - $20 per barrel more than September 2017, and $25/b more than September 2016.

Click here to view AAA's state and metro gas price averages

• The most expensive gas price averages in Georgia are in Atlanta ($2.76), Savannah ($2.74), and Brunswick ($2.73)
• The least expensive gas price averages in Georgia are in Warner Robins ($2.61), Columbus ($2.62), and Augusta-Aiken ($2.63)

Gas prices in Tennessee climbed 5 cents last week. Sunday's state average of $2.63 per gallon is 3 cents more than a month ago and 15 cents more than this time last year. Tennessee gas prices have hovered within 5 cents of their current range since early June. However, prices remain 10 cents less than this year's high - established during Memorial Day weekend.

Tennessee motorists found the most expensive September at the gas pump in four years. Pump prices averaged $2.59 per gallon last month - an increase of 5 cents from September 2017, and 52 cents per gallon more than September 2016. The higher prices this year are mostly attributed to more expensive crude oil. WTI crude averaged $70 per barrel last month - $20 per barrel more than September 2017, and $25/b more than September 2016.

Click here to view AAA's state and metro gas price averages

• The most expensive gas price averages in Tennessee are in Jackson ($2.67), Nashville ($2.66), and Memphis ($2.63)
• The least expensive gas price averages in Tennessee are in Chattanooga ($2.55), Clarksville-Hopkinsville ($2.57), Johnson City ($2.57)

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

Fuel Savings Tips

Drive Sensibly – Aggressive driving (speeding, rapid acceleration and braking) wastes gas.

• Gas mileage can be reduced 15-30% at highway speeds / 10-40% in stop-and-go traffic
• The equivalent of 27¢ - $1.08 per gallon

Observe the speed limit

• Not only is it safer – but it can help you save money
• Gas mileage rapidly declines at speeds above 50 mph
• Every 5 mph you drive over 50 mph is like paying an additional 19 cents per gallon for gasoline

Lose the weight

• Using your trunk for storage can cost you by way of lower fuel economy
• Remove unnecessary items from your vehicle.
• An extra 100 pounds in your vehicle reduces your miles per gallon by about 1%
• Like paying an additional 3 cents per gallon for every 100 pounds

Use cruise control

• Cruise control on the highway helps you maintain a constant speed
• Conversely, constant throttling at high speeds consumes gasoline much faster

Avoid excess idling

• Idling uses a quarter to a half gallon of fuel per hour
• Turn off your engine when your vehicle is parked
• It only takes 10 seconds worth of fuel to restart your vehicle

Combine trips

• Saves time and money
• Fuel economy is better when your engine is warmed up and you make multiple stops

Inflate tires

• Keeping your tires inflated to the proper pressure can improve your gas mileage up to 3%
• It can mean the difference of a couple cents per gallon
• Find the recommended tire pressure on a sticker located on the driver's side door jamb

CURRENT AND PAST PRICE AVERAGES

Regular Unleaded Gasoline

	Sunday	Saturday	Week Ago	Month Ago	One Year Ago	Highest Price on Record
National	$2.877	$2.876	$2.852	$2.838	$2.561	$4.114 (7/17/2008)
Florida	$2.818	$2.819	$2.721	$2.807	$2.624	$4.079 (7/17/2008)
Georgia	$2.721	$2.721	$2.712	$2.696	$2.626	$4.164 (9/15/2008)
Tennessee	$2.630	$2.628	$2.584	$2.596	$2.471	$4.118 (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. COMING SOON! New personal insurance products will be available in October 2018. Features include: Enhanced Total Loss Coverage, AAA Membership Discount, Disappearing Deductible and much more!