Albany area gas prices jump 12.5 cents in week

ALBANY — So much for the lowest average gas prices in the state.

Two weeks after boasting the lowest average gas prices among the state’s 15 metropolitan region’s, Albany drivers saw a 12.5-cents-per-gallon uptick last week to push prices in the MSA above all but five other areas: Savannah, Brunswick, Hinesville-Fort-Stewart, Atlanta and Valdosta.

Average prices in the Albany area jumped to $2.505, according to gas surveyor AAA-The Auto Club Group. That’s a leap of 19.1 cents from a month ago and 38.2 cents a gallon more than a year ago.

The sharp uptick in Albany was so severe, it surpassed the state average ($2.504). Small consolation … the local average did remain below AAA’s national average of $2.611 a gallon.

One local gas customer took the increase in stride Monday as he filled up at a Woodall’s outlet on Slappey Boulevard in Albany.

“The prices will always go up and down so it doesn’t bother me much,” James Borders said.

GasBuddy, a second surveyor of state and national gas prices, had the state average slightly lower, at $2.48 a gallon, still a 6.1-cents-per-gallon rise over last week. GasBuddy had the national average at $2.60.

“The jump at the pump has continued unabated over the last week as oil prices have rallied and the typical spring fever starts to grip energy markets, causing gas prices to continue to accelerate,” Patrick DeHaan, the head of petroleum analysis for GasBuddy, said. “The Great Lakes led the (increase), while much of the rest of the country also saw prices rise, albeit a tamer rise. As March wraps up, gas prices are going out like a small lion, but there may be a larger lion looming in the weeks ahead. The surge at the pump is by no means over just yet.”

AAA officials agreed that the surge upward in prices is nowhere near over.

“Gasoline demand has been very strong the past few weeks, as Americans travel for spring break,” said Mark Jenkins, a spokesman for AAA. “This robust gasoline demand, coupled with lower supply levels, are setting the stage for rising prices in the coming weeks.”

The most expensive gas price averages in Georgia Monday were in Savannah ($2.54), Brunswick ($2.54), Hinesville-Fort Stewart ($2.53) and Atlanta ($2.51) The least expensive averages were in Dalton ($2.43), Catoosa-Dade-Walker ($2.43) and Warner Robins ($2.44).

Gypsy Crow contributed to this report.