(The Center Square) — The low cost of oil and lukewarm demand are keeping gas prices down for the upcoming holiday season, according to AAA.
Arkansas motorists are seeing the lowest prices since Dec. 21, 2022, at $2.70 for a gallon of regular unleaded gasoline. It’s down nine cents from last week and seven cents from last year, AAA said.
“While prices will likely keep falling, fluctuations remain possible due to the busy year-end holiday travel period around the corner,’ said AAA Spokesperson Nick Chabarria.
About 103 million Americans are expected to travel this holiday season. The increased demand could cause a rise in pump prices despite oil coming in at $70 a barrel, AAA said.
Prices are highest in Pine Bluff at $2.18 a gallon. The cheapest gas is in the Fayetteville-Springdale-Rogers area, where a gallon of regular unleaded is costing motorists $2.54.
The nationwide average is $3.10, a dime less than last week and 11 cents less than last year, according to AAA.
Four of Arkansas’ neighboring states have lower gas costs. Texas pump prices dropped to $2.57, the lowest price in the country. Mississippi has the second cheapest fuel at $2.64, followed by Oklahoma at $2.65 and Missouri at $2.67.
Hawaii took over the top spot for the highest fuel costs at $4.70 for a regular unleaded gallon of fuel. Motorists in the usual front-runner, a California, are paying $4.65, according to AAA.
