(The Center Square) – Motorists who purchase fuel in Georgia are paying 11 cents less on average than they were last week, according to AAA.
The average cost of a regular unleaded gallon of gas is $3.76, down from $3.87 a week ago. A month ago, Georgia motorists were paying $3.56 a gallon.
“Drivers are seeing some relief at the pump as earlier declines in crude oil prices filter through the market,” said Montrae Waiters, spokeswoman for AAA – The Auto Club Group. “However, ongoing uncertainty surrounding global oil supplies could shift the trend and put upward pressure on gas prices in the coming weeks.”
Fuel prices a year ago were at $2.91 a gallon. Drivers traveling through the state looking for the lowest fuel prices should avoid the Atlanta area, where the price is $3.83 per gallon, and the Macon area, where the price is $3.81 per gallon.
The cheapest gas is found near the Tennessee line in Catoosa, Dade and Walker counties, at an average of $3.51 a gallon.
South Carolina has the lowest gas prices among Georgia’s neighbors at $3.52 a gallon, followed by Tennessee at $3.55 a gallon. Florida has the highest gas prices among the surrounding states at $3.86 a gallon, followed by North Carolina at $3.67 and Alabama at $3.62.
The national average gas price also decreased from $4.09 per gallon to $4.01 per gallon, 25 cents more than Georgia’s. Indiana has the lowest gas prices in the country at $3.48 a gallon. Gov. Mike Braun extended a suspension of the state’s fuel taxes through Sept. 5. The state’s gas tax is about 21 cents per gallon, according to the Indiana Department of Revenue.
Georgia Gov. Brian Kemp issued a gas price moratorium earlier this year, but it ended in May. Georgia’s fuel tax adds about 33 cents to gasoline and 37 cents to diesel fuel, according to the Georgia Department of Revenue. The money funds statewide transportation projects.
Three U.S. states are paying more than $5 a gallon. Californians are paying the most at $5.60 a gallon, followed by Hawaii at $5.45 and Washington at $5.14.
