AAA: GEORGIA’S GAS PRICES CONTINUE TO INCH UPWARD

Georgia’s gas prices rose again during the past week, according to AAA, The Auto Club Group. Motorists statewide now pay an average price of $2.23 per gallon of regular unleaded gasoline; that is seven cents more than a week ago, 20 cents more than last month, and 18 cents more than this time last year.

It now costs $33.45 to fill a 15-gallon tank of gasoline; that is $3.45 less than what motorists paid in January of 2020, when pump prices hit last year’s peak of $2.46 per gallon.

Montrae Waiters, spokesperson for AAA, indicates, “Gas prices are rising as supply tightens and crude oil gets more expensive. If crude prices continue to sustain prices above $50 per barrel alongside higher refinery utilization rates and demand, drivers could see the pump prices continue to climb through the week.”

Sunday’s national average of $2.38 per gallon of regular unleaded gasoline is seven cents more than last week, 18 cents more than last month, and 18 cents less than last year.

The increase in crude prices is attributed to market optimism that coronavirus vaccines will help crude demand recover this year.