Alabama gas prices among lowest in nation

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According to the AAA Daily Fuel Gauge Report, the average price of gasoline in the United States is $1.935 per gallon. But Alabama residents are enjoying gas prices at about $1.728 per gallon for regular gasoline.

Alabama’s prices on regular gas put it at fourth in the nation for cheap fuel prices, being bested by only Arizona, New Jersey, and South Carolina. The states with the highest gas prices are California ($2.593 per gallon) and Hawaii ($2.545 per gallon).

At this time last year, Alabamians were paying about $2.18 a gallon for regular gas. Alabama fuel hit its highest point in September 2008, when travelers were seeing a price tag of $4.052 for a gallon of regular.

Fuel prices recently hit their lowest point — at about $1.50 for regular in February — since March 2015.

Currently, the price per gallon for midlevel is $1.970, premium is $2.226 and diesel is $1.955. Those prices put Alabama at seventh, 14th and 15th, respectively.

Although those numbers are refreshing for those preparing to venture out for spring break, an upward trend is beginning to appear, according to a, AAA press release. Gas prices have seen their sharpest spike in more than a year, while prices have inched up 12 cents this week.

The increase is because of a decline in “gasoline supplies, relatively strong demand and continued refinery maintenance.”

“Prices typically move higher at this time of year as gasoline demand begins to increase and refineries conduct seasonal maintenance,” AAA Public Relations Director Michael Green said in the release. “This year’s refinery maintenance season is characterized by lower-than-expected prices for crude oil and ample supplies, which should help keep pump prices relatively low compared to recent years.”

Despite that, Green noted that some parts of the country will likely continue to see rise in gas prices caused by “fluctuations in in local supply and demand associated with continued maintenance and preparations for summer-blend gasoline in advance of the June 1 deadline for retail facilities to sell the cleaner blend.”

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