AAA Newsroom: Two-Thirds of All States See Double-Digit Pump Price Drop on the Week

Eleven States Have Gas Price Average of $2/Gallon or Less

As crude oil prices trend close to $30/bbl, Americans are seeing pump prices plummet across the country. On the week, gas price averages in 35 states decreased by double-digits, pushing the national average to $2.25, the cheapest price point of the year.

“The national gas price average is 13 cents cheaper on the week and nearly 20 cents less than the beginning of the month. These are significant decreases in just 7 and 16 days,” said Jeanette Casselano, AAA spokesperson. “AAA expects gas prices to continue trending cheaper, with the high likelihood of the national average hitting $2/gallon before the end of March.”

During this uncertain time of COVID-19, gas prices are declining despite increasing gasoline demand and decreasing U.S. stock levels.

Quick Stats

• The nation’s top 10 largest weekly decreases are: Ohio (-27 cents), Kentucky (-21 cents), Michigan (-21 cents), Wisconsin (-21 cents), Indiana (-19 cents), Illinois (-19 cents), Oklahoma (-15 cents), Iowa (-15 cents), Maine (-15 cents) and Minnesota (-15 cents).  

• The nation’s top 10 least expensive markets are: Oklahoma ($1.92), Texas ($1.96), Mississippi ($1.96), South Carolina ($1.97), Ohio ($1.97), Indiana ($1.97), Missouri ($1.98), Kentucky ($1.99), Louisiana ($2.00) and Alabama ($2.00).  

Great Lakes and Central States

Some of the largest weekly pump price savings in the country can be found in the Great Lakes and Central states. Eight out of the top 10 largest weekly decreases are states from the region: Ohio (-27 cents), Kentucky (-21 cents), Michigan (-21 cents), Wisconsin (-21 cents), Indiana (-19 cents), Illinois (-19 cents), Iowa (-15 cents) and Minnesota (-15 cents). All states in the region saw double-digit decreases, with South Dakota (-10 cents) seeing the smallest decrease on the week.

With the substantial drops at the pump, state gas prices in the region are relatively cheap, ranging from as low as $1.98 in Missouri to a high of $2.30 in Illinois.

With a draw of 1.8 million bbl, the Great Lakes and Central states region saw its first substantial drop in gasoline stocks in two months, according to the Energy Information Administration’s latest report. At 58 million bbl, stock levels remain healthy and in line with levels this time last year. If stocks were to decrease again in the coming week that would traditionally mean a pump price increase, but given current trends it’s more likely gas prices would decrease.

South and Southeast

Four states in the South and Southeast region have a gas price average below $2/gallon: Oklahoma ($1.92), Texas ($1.96), Mississippi ($1.96) and South Carolina ($1.97). It’s likely other states in the region will fall below the two dollar price point in the coming week, including: Louisiana ($2.00), Alabama ($2.00), Arkansas ($2.01), Tennessee ($2.03) and Georgia ($2.07). At $2.16, New Mexico and Florida carry the most expensive state averages in the region.

State gas price averages in the South and Southeast are 10 to 15 cents cheaper on the week. Oklahoma (-15 cents) saw the largest decline in the region and ranks among the top 10 states with the biggest pump price change in the last seven days.

Gasoline stocks saw another week of substantial draw, this time 3.7 million bbl. The EIA reports that with the latest draw, total regional stock levels measure at 83 million bbl – the lowest level seen since the end of December last year. Year-over-year, regional stocks are sitting at a 4 million bbl deficit. Typically this could push gas prices more expensive, but its likely motorists in the region will see cheaper gas prices in the week ahead due to market uncertainties associated with the coronavirus.

Mid-Atlantic and Northeast

On the week, motorists in the Mid-Atlantic and Northeast region saw average declines of 6 to 15 cents. Maine ($2.21) saw the biggest weekly difference of any state in the region.

State gas price averages are $2.50 or less for every state in the region. New York ($2.48), Washington, D.C. ($2.47) and Pennsylvania ($2.46) carry the highest averages in the region while North Carolina ($2.07) and Virginia ($2.06) have the cheapest regional averages.

Gasoline stocks built by 400,000 bbl, bumping total regional stock levels to nearly 64 million bbl. More positive news for the region was revealed in EIA’s latest report: refinery utilization increased for the first time since early January, up almost three percentage points to nearly 59%. In the coming week, regional gas prices are likely to follow the national trend of pushing cheaper. 

Rockies

Three Rockies states land on the top 10 list of states with the smallest weekly change: Utah (-1 cent), Idaho (-2 cents) and Wyoming (-3 cents). Montana (-8 cents) and Colorado (-11 cents) saw more significant pump price drops.  Regional gas price averages range from as cheap as $2.18 in Colorado to $2.53 in Idaho.

Stocks dipped slight by 140,000 bbl to 9.1 million bbl. Compared to last year at this time, EIA data shows that current regional stock levels are at a 1.8 million bbl surplus. This healthy difference will likely keep state gas price averages declining in the week ahead, though potentially only by a few pennies for most of the region.

West Coast

Like the rest of the country, pump prices in the West Coast region have declined and are poised to continue their descent this week, as crude prices remain low. When compared to a week ago, California (-10 cents) saw the largest decline. Hawaii ($3.52) and California ($3.34) remain the most expensive markets in the country. Washington ($3.02), Oregon ($2.92), Alaska ($2.86), Nevada ($2.82) and Arizona ($2.67) follow.

According to EIA’s latest weekly report, total gas stocks in the region increased slightly from 31.41 million bbl to 31.64 million bbl, which is 1.14 million bbl lower than the level at this time in 2019. Pump prices are likely to continue decreasing this week, barring any supply challenges.

Oil Market Dynamics

At the close of Friday’s formal trading session on the NYMEX, WTI increased by 23 cents to settle at $31.73. Fears about COVID-19 and the crude price war between Russia and Saudi Arabia pushed crude prices lower last week. After President Trump announced that the U.S. Department of Energy would purchase oil to top off the Strategic Petroleum Reserve, crude prices rallied briefly. However, the announcement is unlikely to help increase crude prices further since the limited number of barrels the U.S. could purchase is small when compared to the dramatic reduction in global crude demand as a result of reduced economic activity due to COVID-19. Moving into this week, crude prices are likely to continue decreasing as the world grapples with how to contain the ongoing international public health crisis and associated economic challenges that could lead to a global recession. Until the price war ends and fears about COVID-19 subside, domestic crude prices are likely to remain low.

Motorists can find current gas prices along their route with the free AAA Mobile app for iPhone, iPad and Android. The app can also be used to map a route, find discounts, book a hotel and access AAA roadside assistance. Learn more at AAA.com/mobile.