(The Center Square) – Gas prices are falling as drivers in Arkansas are enjoying the second-lowest gas prices in the country, AAA said Thursday.
Arkansas’ statewide average price for a gallon of regular unleaded fuel was $2.95 as of Thursday, which is five cents lower than this day last week and 18 cents lower than this time last year, AAA reported.
It follows a national trend where gas prices are experiencing declines as summer begins. Arkansas remains below the national average of $3.46, which is three cents less than last week and 13 cents lower than this day last year, according to AAA.
“Summer road trippers are being greeted with cheaper pump prices across Arkansas compared to last year,” said AAA spokesperson Nick Chabarria. “As long as supply keeps building, drivers could see gas prices decline even further.”
In Arkansas, the lowest average fuel prices are in Jonesboro where drivers are paying an average of $2.84 per gallon. The highest state average was found in Texarkana where drivers are seeing an average of $3.11 per gallon, AAA reported.
The Fayetteville-Springdale-Rogers area saw the second-lowest average gas prices in the state at $2.87 per gallon followed by Little Rock and North Little Rock at $2.92 per gallon, AAA said. Hot Springs and Fort Smith’s averages both fell four cents to $2.94 per gallon and West Memphis also saw a four-cent decline down to $2.97 per gallon.
Pine Bluff’s gas price average was the second highest in Arkansas but still experienced a six cent decline down to $3.01, according to AAA.
The nationwide decrease in gas prices was attributed to increasing crude oil and gas stocks with crude oil growing by 3.7 million barrels this week, according to the Energy Information Administration. Gasoline stocks increased by 2.7 million barrels, the administration said.
The only state with a lower average gas price than Arkansas was Mississippi, which was one cent less at $2.94. Also among the ten states with the lowest gas price averages were Oklahoma, Louisiana, Texas, Kansas, Tennessee, Missouri, Alabama and South Carolina, AAA reported.