Commuters will find some respite at the pump on the Fourth of July, although gas prices are still at levels never seen before for the holiday weekend.
The national average for a gallon of gas is $4.86 , according to AAA26 cents higher than Memorial Day weekend prices, but it reflects a drop in prices in recent weeks. Gas prices peaked when an all-time record unadjusted for inflation hit $5.01 a gallon on June 14.
The drop in prices comes as road trips are expected to last for the Fourth of July, but higher prices are still an issue for some travelers, as a survey by travel planning site The Vacationer said gas prices have increased. Affected their holiday travel plans.
Patrick de Haan, head of petroleum analysis at GasBuddy, said people may be excited about a drop in gas prices, but it may not last long.
“There are going to be little bouts of respite and more common here this summer, but we still can’t get over the fireworks,” De Haan told USA Today.
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Why Are Gas Prices Dropping? How long will this last?
De Haan listed a number of factors as to why gas prices were going down, particularly fears of the global economy leading to a fall in oil prices. However, oil prices have begun to rise, with US crude at $113.66 a barrel, while the international standard Brent crude is trading at $122.21, both according to the US Energy Information Administration.
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“As we go into July for the weekend, it’s possible that prices could come down at some point next week, and they could go up a little bit, that’s all.” Depends on what happens between now and then,” he said. “It’s very difficult to predict beyond a week or two.”
In addition to a surge in gas demand this summer, another factor that could contribute to a further rise in prices is the start of hurricane season, as offshore refineries could be hit by the storm.
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When should I get gas for my Fourth of July trip?
The later is actually better, De Haan said.
He expects demand to be higher on Thursday and Friday, but not for Saturday-Monday. Also, there is a possibility of a fall in prices.
“Don’t be in a hurry to fill up before you leave. Don’t go to fill the tank last night. If you’re leaving on Friday, wait until Friday because there has to be some respite that continues until and during the holiday weekend,” D Han said.
Another way people can save on gas is to drive at a slower rate of five to 10 miles per hour to increase fuel efficiency. De Haan said people who are traveling to different states should keep this in mind when getting gas, as some states are dramatically cheaper.
For example, gas costs as little as $7.19 per gallon in Needles, California, but just two miles north of the California-Arizona border, you can get gas in Mohave Valley, Arizona for around $4.75.
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Where is the most expensive gas?
The West Coast is where you’ll find the most expensive gas, with California on the way to $6.29 per gallon.
Where is gas least expensive?
The Southeast is the best place to get gas for under $4.50 a gallon, along with seven states. The state with the cheapest gas is Georgia at $4.37.
Average Gas Prices Per State Wondering
how much gas you are spending for the 4th of July in your state or any state? Here are the gas prices in each state, according to AAA.
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Alabama Gas Prices
Regular: $4.47
Mid-Grade: $4.85
Premium: $5.21
Diesel: $5.58
Alaska Gas Prices
Regular: $5.58
Mid-Grade: $5.78
Premium: $5.97
Diesel: $6.11
Arizona Gas Prices
Regular: $5.25
Mid-Grade: $5.57
Premium: $5.82
Diesel: $5.88
Arkansas Gas Prices
Regular: $4.42
Mid-Grade: $4.76
Premium: $5.08
Diesel: $5.38
California Gas Prices
Regular: $6.29
Mid -Grade: $6.51
Premium: $6.65
Diesel: $6.96
Colorado Gas Prices
Regular: $4.90
Mid-Grade: $4.53
Premium: $4.82
Diesel: $5.33
Connecticut Gas Prices
Regular: $4.84
Mid-Grade: $5.29
Premium: $5.64
Diesel: $6.09
DC Gas Prices
Regular: $5.03
Mid-Grade: $5.55
Premium: $5.89
Diesel: $6.09
Delaware Gas Prices
Regular: $4.80
Mid-Grade: $5.25
Premium: $5.49
Diesel: $5.78
Florida Gas Prices
Regular: $4.63
Mid-Grade: $5.04
Premium : $5.35
Diesel: $5.65
Georgia Gas Prices
Regular: $4.37
Mid-Grade: $4.77
Premium: $5.12
Diesel: $5.49
Air Gas Prices
Regular: $5.59
Mid-Grade: $5.78
Premium: $6.05
Diesel: $6.16
Idaho Gas Prices
Regular: $5.23
Mid-Grade: $5.43
Premium: $5.64
Diesel: $5.88
Illinois Gas Prices
Regular: $5.41
Mid-Grade: $5.87
Premium: $6.25
Diesel: $5.81
Indiana Gas Prices
Regular: $4.97
Mid-Grade: $5.38
Premium: $5.71
Diesel: $6.02
Iowa Gas Prices
Regular: $4.62
Mid-Grade: $4.80
Premium: $5.29
Diesel: $5.42
Kansas Gas Prices
Regular: $4.59
Mid-Grade: $4.86
Premium: $5.16
Diesel: $5.37
Kentucky Gas Prices
Regular: $4.59
Mid-Grade: $4.98
Premium: $5.31
Diesel: $5.78
Louisiana Gas Prices
Regular: $4.43
Mid-Grade: $4.78
Premium: $5.12
Diesel: $5.35
Main Gas Prices
Regular: $5.00
Mid-Grade: $5.37
Premium: $5.66
Diesel: $6.11
Maryland Gas Prices
Regular: $4.83
Mid-Grade: $5.33
Premium: $5.59
Diesel: $5.80
Massachusetts Gas Prices
Regular: $4.91
Mid-Grade: $5.35
Premium: $5.64
Diesel: $6.11
Michigan Gas Prices
Regular : $5.01
Mid-Grade: $5.40
Premium: $5.75
Diesel: $5.95
Minnesota Gas Prices
Regular: $4.70
Mid-Grade: $4.96
Premium: $5.32
Diesel: $5.57
Mississippi Gas Prices
Regular: $4.40
Mid-Grade: $4.73
Premi Um: $5.08
Diesel: $5.34
Missouri Gas Prices
Regular: $4.58
Mid-Grade: $4.90
Premium: $5.20
Diesel: $5.37
Montana Gas Prices
Regular: $4.96
Mid-Grade: $5.26
Premium : $5.53
Diesel: $5.90
Nebraska Gas Prices
Regular: $4.71
Mid-Grade: $4.86
Premium: $5.32
Diesel: $5.35
Nevada Gas Prices
Regular: $5.57
Mid-Grade: $5.81
Premium: $6.00
Diesel: $5.97
New Hampshire Gas Prices
Regular: $4.86
Mid-Grade: $5.29
Premium: $5.61
Diesel: $6.08
New Jersey Gas Prices
Regular: $4.89
Mid-Grade: $5.40
Premium: $5.64
Diesel: $5.96
New Mexico Gas Prices
Regular: $4.69
Mid- Grade: $5.03
Premium: $5.30
Diesel: $5.58
New York Gas Prices
Regular: $4.94
Mid-Grade: $5.35
Premium: $5.67
Diesel: $6.21
North Carolina Gas Prices
Regular: $4.51
Mid-Grade: $4.88
Premium: $5.24
Diesel: $5.66
North Dakota Gas Prices
Regular: $4.71
Mid-Grade: $5.01
Premium: $5.37
Diesel: $5.61
Ohio Gas Prices
Regular: $4.83
Mid-Grade: $5.21
Prem Terms: $5.56
Diesel: $6.06
Oklahoma Gas Prices
Regular: $4.57
Mid-Grade: $4.89
Premium: $5.12
Diesel: $5.28
Oregon Gas Prices
Regular: $5.49
Mid-Grade: $5.70
Premium: $5.90
Diesel: $6.47
Pennsylvania Gas Prices
Regular: $4.94
Mid-Grade: $5.33
Premium: $5.61
Diesel: $6.15
Rhode Island Gas Prices
Regular: $4.88
Mid-Grade: $5.37
Premium: $5.66
Diesel: $6.16
South Carolina Gas Prices
Regular: $4.39
Mid-Grade: $4.77
Premium: $5.11
Diesel: $5.53
South Dakota Gas Prices
Regular: $4.75
Mid-Grade: $4.88
Premium: $5.34
Diesel: $5.40
Tennessee Gas Prices
Regular: $4.49
Mid-Grade: $4.86
Premium: $5.21
Diesel: $5.58
Texas Gas$
4.51
Mid-Grade: $4.88
Premium: $5.20
Diesel: $5.27
Utah Gas Prices
Regular: $5.19
Mid-Grade: $5.39
Premium: $5.59
Diesel: $5.67
Vermont Gas Prices
Regular: $4.94
Mid-Grade: $5.35
Premium: $ 5.74
Diesel: $6.04
Virginia Gas Prices
Regular: $4.69
Mid-Grade: $5.13
Premium: $5.46
Diesel: $5.74
Washington Gas Prices
Regular: $5.48
Mid-Grade : $5.71
Premium: $5.89
Diesel: $6.46
West Virginia Gas Prices
Regular: $4.83
Mid-Grade: $5.14
Premium: $5.40
Diesel: $5.96