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Gas Price Decline Continues

By Joe Benton
ConsumerAffairs.com

September 5, 2006
One year after gasoline prices hit their highest levels ever, prices are dropping with the national average for a gallon of regular 33 cents lower than one year ago.

This time last year, Hurricane Katrina had damaged refineries and pipelines along the Gulf Coast sending gasoline to the highest recorded price on September 5, 2005 reaching $3.06 a gallon.

The average price now is $2.73 a gallon, down 6 cents a gallon over the Labor Day weekend, according to AAA, of Hawthorne, Florida.

Midgrade and premium gasoline prices also are down 6 cents from four days ago. Midgrade is selling for an average of $2.90 a gallon, while premium is selling for $3.01.

Drivers in Hawaii are still paying the most with a gallon of regular selling for $3.56 in Kailua Kona.

One gasoline station in Massillon, Ohio is selling regular self-serve for $2.23 a gallon. That is the lowest price found in the country.

Here is a look at some prices from around the country.

Michigan: Gas prices fell to $2.60 a gallon, the lowest cost for fuel since the week of March 27 when prices were $2.52.

AAA Michigan, which conducts a weekly survey of 2,800 filling stations around the state, also found that pump prices are now 49 cents lower than they were at this time last year. This is the first time since May 2004 that prices were lower than the year-ago prices.

This is also one of the first times that gas prices actually fell during a Labor Day holiday week.

Ohio: Service stations in Ohio are gasoline cheaper than anywhere else in the country, according to an analysis of AAA’s Fuel Gauge Report.

Ohio, which is selling gas cheaper than all 50 states and Washington D.C. It is the only state to sell gas below the $2.50 mark, according to the daily report.

In Massillon, Ohio several stations are selling gas for under $2.25. Last year, gas sold for $2.92 a gallon, which was almost the same price at the beginning of August.

"It’s good news for area gas stations, but it's even better for the area consumers," the local AAA president said. "I wouldn’t be surprised if, barring a natural disaster, we see $2 a gallon before the end of the year.

Delaware: A year ago the average price of a gallon of gas was $3.22. Today, the price is $2.72, according to AAA Mid-Atlantic's daily report on prices at the pump.

The average price a week ago was $2.83, according to AAA.

The national average price of gas is $2.73. Pennsylvania, $2.73, and New Jersey, $2.71, are all also down.

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