(The Center Square) — Going into Labor Day weekend, Alabama’s gas prices are down 54 cents compared to last year and are fifth-lowest nationally, according to data from the American Automobile Association.
AAA says the Yellowhammer State’s statewide average for a gallon of regular gasoline is $2.96, down from $3.02 last week and down 13.5% compared to the same time last year, when the average price was $3.42. The highest recorded average price for Alabama occurred on June 14, 2022 at $4.63 per gallon.
That’s 13.81% less than the average price nationally at $3.35 per gallon, which is a 12.85% drop compared to the same time last year, when the national average was $3.85.
Etowah County in the northeastern part of Alabama has the lowest price at $2.80 per gallon, followed by Marshall County ($2.81), DeKalb County ($2.84), Shelby County ($2.85) and Elmore County ($2.89).
For Alabama metro areas, Gadsden had the lowest gas prices at $2.81 per gallon, followed by Auburn at $2.89 and Mobile and Tuscaloosa in a tie at $2.91. Anniston, Birmingham, Muscle Shoals and Montgomery were in a four-way tie at $2.94. Dothan was at $2.98, Huntsville was at $3 per gallon.
According to the American Petroleum Institute, Alabama taxes and fees add up to 31.31 cents per gallon, higher than Mississippi (18.79 cents per gallon) and Tennessee (27.4 cents), but lower than Georgia (37.55 cents) and Florida (43.55 cents).
Mississippi has the lowest average at $2.88 per gallon of regular unleaded. Texas ($2.93), Tennessee ($2.94) and Oklahoma ($2.95) round out the lowest five states.
The highest as of Friday morning are Hawaii ($4.66), California ($4.63), Washington ($4.717), Nevada ($3.96) and Oregon ($3.79).