Pump Prices Plummet Across the Nation

NATIONAL REPORT —During this uncertain time of COVID-19 (coronavirus), gas prices are declining despite increasing demand and decreasing U.S. stock levels.

On the week, gas price averages in 35 states decreased by double-digits, pushing the national average to $2.25, the cheapest price point of the year.

"The national gas price average is 13 cents cheaper on the week and nearly 20 cents less than the beginning of the month. These are significant decreases in just seven and 16 days," said Jeanette Casselano, AAA spokesperson. "AAA expects gas prices to continue trending cheaper, with the high likelihood of the national average hitting $2/gallon before the end of March."

The top 10 largest weekly decreases nationwide are: Ohio (27 cents), Kentucky (21 cents), Michigan (21 cents), Wisconsin (21 cents), Indiana (19 cents), Illinois (19 cents), Oklahoma (15 cents), Iowa (15 cents), Maine (15 cents) and Minnesota (15 cents).  

The nation's top 10 least expensive markets include Oklahoma ($1.92), Texas ($1.96), Mississippi ($1.96), South Carolina ($1.97), Ohio ($1.97), Indiana ($1.97), Missouri ($1.98), Kentucky ($1.99), Louisiana ($2.00) and Alabama ($2.00).  

By region, here's how the country is faring:

Great Lakes & Central States

Some of the largest weekly pump price savings in the country can be found in the Great Lakes and Central states. Eight out of the top 10 largest weekly decreases are states from the region: Ohio, Kentucky, Michigan, Wisconsin, Indiana, Illinois, Iowa and Minnesota.

All states in the region saw double-digit decreases, with South Dakota (down 10 cents) seeing the smallest decrease on the week.

With the substantial drops at the pump, state gas prices in the region are relatively cheap, ranging from as low as $1.98 in Missouri to a high of $2.30 in Illinois.

SOUTH & SOUTHEAST

Four states in the South and Southeast region have a gas price average below $2 per gallon: Oklahoma ($1.92), Texas ($1.96), Mississippi ($1.96) and South Carolina ($1.97). I

t's likely other states in the region will fall below the $2 price point in the coming week, according to AAA, including: Louisiana ($2), Alabama ($2), Arkansas ($2.01), Tennessee ($2.03) and Georgia ($2.07). At $2.16, New Mexico and Florida carry the most expensive state averages in the region.

State gas price averages in the South and Southeast are 10 to 15 cents cheaper on the week. Oklahoma (down 15 cents) saw the largest decline in the region and ranks among the top 10 states with the biggest pump price change in the last seven days.

MID-ATLANTIC & NORTHEAST

On the week, motorists in the Mid-Atlantic and Northeast region saw average declines of 6 to 15 cents. Maine ($2.21) saw the biggest weekly difference of any state in the region.

State gas price averages are $2.50 or less for every state in the region. New York ($2.48), Washington, D.C. ($2.47) and Pennsylvania ($2.46) carry the highest averages in the region, while North Carolina ($2.07) and Virginia ($2.06) have the cheapest regional averages.

ROCKIES

Three Rockies states land on the top 10 list of states with the smallest weekly change: Utah (down 1 cent), Idaho (down 2 cents) and Wyoming (down 3 cents). Montana and Colorado saw more significant pump price drops (8 cents and 11 cents, respectively).

Regional gas price averages range from as cheap as $2.18 in Colorado to $2.53 in Idaho.

WEST COAST

Like the rest of the country, pump prices in the West Coast region have declined and are poised to continue their descent this week, as crude prices remain low. When compared to a week ago:

• California (down 10 cents) saw the largest decline.
• Hawaii ($3.52) and California ($3.34) remain the most expensive markets in the country.
• Washington ($3.02), Oregon ($2.92), Alaska ($2.86), Nevada ($2.82) and Arizona ($2.67) are also among the most expensive markets.