Low gas prices making for an extra Merry Christmas

ALBANY — With gas prices hovering just above $2 a gallon, many Southwest Georgia drivers are hoping to transfer that savings into some much needed funds for Christmas shopping this year.

According to the American Automobile Association (AAA) auto club, Albany area drivers are currently seeing some of the lowest gas prices in recent memory.

On Monday the average price of a gallon of regular unleaded here was $2.235, which was 25 cents below the Georgia average of $2.485 and 31 cents below the national average of $2.545. Several stations had gasoline for $2.15 and $218 a gallon.

Those prices follow a trend that has seen prices drop steadily over the past several months. This time last year a gallon of regular unleaded was selling for an average of $3.123, which was again lower than the Georgia average of $3.188 per gallon and the national average of $3.23 per gallon.

That decline is expected to continue throughout the country thanks to domestic oil being at a three decade high, which is driving down the commodity’s price.

“Oil prices are plunging because there is so much oil on the market,” said AAA spokesman Mark Jenkins in a press release. “Gas prices will keep falling as long as oil prices do. Gas stations in some Florida and Georgia cities could start selling at $2 a gallon within the next 15 days.”

Even with prices forecast to keep falling, the recent decline has already had a positive impact on Albany area drivers, with many saying that they will be funnelling that savings into their Christmas shopping budget.

Kalpesh Atawala, who owns the Quick Shop on Slappey Boulevard said that many of his regular customers have commented recently on the current prices, saying the savings has been a nice boon as they shop for the holidays.

“They never thought that (gas prices) would get this low; it’s been totally unexpected,” said Atawala. “And they’re glad. It’s giving them more money to spend elsewhere and on Christmas for sure. That money is being spent and its at the right time; Christmastime.”

Sylvester resident Daniel Wyatt, who fills his tank regularly in Albany, said the savings he’s seeing when gassing up his truck has “definitely” had an impact on his holiday shopping.

“I have a wife and four kids and they are definitely getting more this year,” Wyatt said. “I can definitely afford a lot more thanks to the gas prices, not spending $80 to fill up.”

Jacki Hancock, a traveling nurse, also from Sylvester, said that not only are the lower gas prices helping her with Christmas gifts for her daughter, they are also changing the way she and her family are planning to celebrate this year.

“We’re going to Disney World,” said Hancock. “If prices were still high we would not be going. I mean spend $3.59 a gallon to Orlando? I don’t think so.”

In addition to their holiday spending changes, many customers have also altered the way the frequency in which they purchase gasoline in light of the low prices.

Calvin Parks, a clerk at the Flash Foods on Old Dawson Road, said many of that store’s regular customers have expressed excitement over the low prices and he has also noticed more customers filling up their tanks rather than purchasing smaller amounts in hopes of seeing a lower price a few days later.

However, as Jenkins pointed out, prices are expected to continue dropping throughout the rest of the year, which would mean drivers could end 2014 seeing the lowest prices since 2009.

“Gas prices are currently falling 1 to 2 cents a day,” said Jenkins. “If that trend continues, pump prices could drop another 10 to 20 cents by Christmas Day. Motorists will likely see the cheapest gas prices for the year-end holidays in six years.”