Gasoline prices remained stable for another week as oil refineries kicked into high gear and hit their highest output rate of the year.
The AAA Fuel Gauge Survey shows the national average price of regular gas is $2.86 a gallon, the same as a week ago. It’s also around the same price as a month ago.
The average price of premium gas is also unchanged at $3.46. The average price of diesel fuel is $3.07 a gallon, one cent below last Friday’s average.
According to the Energy Information Administration (EIA), refineries began the week at an 84% utilization rate which helped increase the nation’s gasoline supplies by four million barrels. Despite a late-week jump in crude oil prices gasoline prices barely budged
“After a wild March, Americans are seeing a little stability at the pump,” said Jeanette McGee, AAA’s spokesperson.
Whether prices resume their late-winter climb depends on to what extent the U.S. economy bounces back from the pandemic. Cases have begun to rise again in about half the states, putting reopening plans in question.
The states with the most expensive gas
These states currently have the highest prices for regular gas, according to the AAA Fuel Gauge Survey:
California ($3.94)
Hawaii ($3.75)
Nevada ($3.38)
Washington ($3.34)
Oregon ($3.20)
Utah ($3.15)
Alaska ($3.14)
Arizona ($3.07)
Illinois ($3.08)
Idaho ($3.06)
The states with the cheapest regular gas
The survey found these states currently have the lowest prices for regular gas:
Texas ($2.57)
Mississippi ($2.58)
South Carolina ($2.58)
Louisiana ($2.61)
Oklahoma ($2.62)
North Carolina ($2.63)
Missouri ($2.63)
Alabama ($2.63)
Delaware ($2.66)
Arkansas ($2.67)