The national average for a gallon of regular gasoline fell 5 cents over the past week to $4.22. However, crude oil prices above $100 per barrel are limiting further declines at the pump.
According to data from the Energy Information Administration (EIA), gasoline demand decreased last week from 8.98 million barrels per day to 8.38 million barrels. Total domestic gasoline supply increased from 205.3 million barrels to 209.2 million barrels, while gasoline production decreased from 9.75 million barrels per day to 9.24 million barrels.
At the close of Wednesday’s formal trading session, WTI rose $2.88 to settle at $102.78 per barrel. The EIA reports that U.S. crude oil inventories decreased 1.9 million barrels to 410.6 million barrels, which is 4% below the five-year average.
Utah is among the nation's most expensive gasoline markets, with a price of $4.62 per gallon. Other high-priced markets include California at $5.94, Hawaii at $5.65, Nevada at $5.25, Washington at $5.24, Oregon at $4.83, Alaska at $4.80, Illinois at $4.79, Michigan at $4.66, and Idaho at $4.60.
In contrast, the least expensive gasoline markets include North Carolina at $3.42, Georgia at $3.61, Texas at $3.70, South Carolina at $3.72, Louisiana at $3.74, Tennessee at $3.76, Alabama at $3.77, Mississippi at $3.80, Arkansas at $3.80, and Indiana at $3.89.
The national average for public electric vehicle charging stayed at 41 cents per kilowatt hour this past week. Utah is ranked among the least expensive states for public charging, with a rate of 35 cents per kilowatt hour. Other low-cost states for charging include Kansas at 31 cents, Missouri at 32 cents, Iowa at 33 cents, Maryland at 35 cents, South Dakota at 35 cents, Nebraska at 36 cents, Minnesota at 36 cents, Vermont at 36 cents, and New Mexico at 37 cents.
As drivers fuel up for the weekend, AAA reminds them that Saturday’s trick-or-treating and the end of daylight saving time Sunday call for extra care behind the wheel. With pedestrians out for Halloween and earlier evening darkness ahead, drivers should slow down, put distractions away and watch carefully at crosswalks and in neighborhoods.
