(The Center Square) – Alaska motorists are paying an average of $4.47 for a regular unleaded gallon of gas, with some areas of the state spending more than $5, according to the latest from the American Automobile Association.
The Sitka area pays $5.17 a gallon, while the lowest prices are in Matanuska Susitna at $4.37.
Alaskans paid $4.30 a month ago and $4.95 last year for a gallon of regular unleaded gasoline, according to AAA.
Alaska has the fifth-highest gas prices in the country, behind California, Washington, Hawaii and Oregon. The lowest gas price is in Mississippi at $3.31 for a gallon of regular unleaded gasoline.
The national cost for a regular unleaded gallon of gasoline is $3.84, up $3.82 from last week. Prices are holding steady, but things could change, according to AAA.
“We appear to be at a fork in the road when it comes to which direction gas prices will take – up or down,” said Andrew Gross, AAA spokesperson. “The summer heat that kept people home and suppressed refinery production has eased for now, so we have to look at the cost of oil to determine if the recent price climb is ending. More expensive oil will likely lead to higher prices, so stay tuned.”
