(The Center Square) — Those traveling over the holiday weekend in Virginia may be happy to know that they’ll pay less for gas than half the country, according to AAA.
Virginia’s gas prices continue to be lower than the national average, as they generally have been over at least the past 10 years, according to data collected by GasBuddy. The national average for unleaded regular heading into the weekend is $3.61, with diesel at $3.90, while the commonwealth’s is $3.47 and $3.92, respectively.
Though prices are slightly down from a month ago, they are still up from a year ago – by eight cents nationally and 14 cents in Virginia – and they’ve been rising slightly as the weekend approaches.
Within the state, prices are highest in Northern Virginia, with Fairfax and Arlington counties leading the pack at $3.64 and $3.60 for unleaded regular. Prices are lowest in the southwestern region of the commonwealth, dipping to $3.20 in Patrick County but mostly ranging from $3.24 to $3.33.
Outside the commonwealth, prices are higher to Virginia’s north and east by nearly 20 cents in Maryland and 30 cents in Pennsylvania. Prices decrease by an average of seven cents heading into Kentucky and 12 cents in North Carolina.
Nationally, gas is most affordable in a cluster of states surrounding Texas, dropping to $3.06 in Mississippi, and least affordable out West and in Illinois and Pennsylvania, topping out at $5.14 in California.
