Metro Albany gas prices remain state’s lowest

ALBANY — Metro Albany drivers continue to enjoy the lowest average gas prices at the pump among Georgia’s 15 metro areas, according to AAA-The Auto Club Group, one of two companies that surveys thousands of gasoline retailers across the state and nation to offer up-to-the-minute pump prices.

For the second week in a row, metro Albany drivers found local gas prices, at $2.289, the lowest across the state. That price marks a 4.2 cent decrease from a week ago, a 10.7-cent drop from prices a month ago but a 15.8-cent increase over prices at the same time a year ago.

AAA and GasBuddy, another surveyor, found that prices have actually fallen in Georgia and across the nation, from 2.8 cents per gallon in the Peach State (per GasBuddy) to 3 cents per gallon (according to AAA). GasBuddy had the state price at $2.36 per gallon Monday, AAA at $2.40.

AAA said the national average Monday was at $2.527, a drop of .04 cent per gallon, while GasBuddy had the national average at $2.51, a penny decrease from the week before.

Despite the decreases across the board, officials with the survey companies said drivers should prepare for a price surge.

“Oil prices remain volatile yet several dollars off recent highs. Gasoline prices remain in somewhat of a limbo as a result, with a mixed bag at pumps across the United States,” Patrick DeHaan, head of petroleum analysis for GasBuddy, said. “Thus far, we have seen a market that’s lacked solid upward movement when it usually sees exactly that.

“So far the balance (of oil costs) is in the middle, but threats remain in the months ahead — we’re still expecting a surge, so motorists aren’t off the hook by any means yet.”

A AAA spokesman, though, said he expects prices to continue their downward swing during this week.

“Gasoline should slide a few cents more this week, based on last week’s decline in wholesale prices,” Mark Jenkins, a spokesman for AAA, said. “Pump prices are sliding right now because crude and gasoline output have remained strong. However, gas prices are still forecast to rise 20 cents in the coming months, as demand climbs and refineries switch to summer blend gasoline.”

According to AAA, the most expensive gas price averages in Georgia Monday were in Atlanta ($2.43), Savannah ($2.42) and Hinesville-Fort Stewart ($2.41). The least expensive gas price averages in Georgia were in Albany, Warner Robins ($2.33) and Augusta-Aiken ($2.33).