Just in time for the holiday exodus, Georgia drivers are receiving a bit of economic cheer with a drop in gas prices. According to FOX5 Atlanta, the average cost for a gallon of regular unleaded gasoline in the Peach State has fallen to $2.96. This marks a 7-cent decrease from last week, although prices are still up 17 cents from the same time last year, leaving Georgians to pay slightly more to fuel their festive travels.
Despite the drop, the average cost to fill a 15-gallon tank clocks in at $44.40, an incremental $2.55 hike over the past year. "AAA is forecasting that 3.3 million Georgians will drive to their holiday destinations this year, and we anticipate gas prices will continue a downward trend," Montrae Waiters, spokeswoman for AAA-The Auto Club Group, said in a statement obtained by WLAQ 1410. She also projected, with a hint of optimism, the possibility for the national average to possibly fall below $3 per gallon by year's end.
Nationally, the price of gas has also seen a recent decrease, with the average dropping by 9 cents to $3.06 since last Monday. This decline is attributed to a combination of factors, including lower demand and the price of oil remaining around $70 per barrel, as reported by FOX5 Atlanta. Despite a slight uptick in demand from 8.47 to 8.86 million barrels a day, higher gas stocks have defied the usual market logic, allowing prices at the pump to ease down instead of shooting up.
Georgians can spot variations in gas prices across different metro areas, with some cities feeling the pinch more than others. Savvy savers might find cheaper fuel in the likes of Dalton, Warner Robins, and Catoosa-Dade-Walker, where prices are as low as $2.80, $2.79, and $2.73, respectively. In contrast, those driving through Savannah, Hinesville-Fort Stewart, and Atlanta must shell out a bit more, facing costs up to $3.08 per gallon, as noted by WLAQ 1410.
