TAMPA, Fla.—Demand for heating oil continues to increase amid forecasts for below-normal temperatures in the U.S. through mid-January and pushed crude oil to its highest price in six weeks. Crude oil on the New York Mercantile Exchange closed the holiday-shortened trading week at $79.36.
“Retail gasoline prices were pushed higher as demand for crude oil increased to produce more heating oil and natural gas,” said Jessica Brady, public relations specialist, AAA Auto Club South. “Until this past week, retail gas prices were not directly affected by the rise in crude oil prices which is typically the norm, so it is not surprising to see retail prices increase.”
The national average price of unleaded regular gasoline is $2.66 per gallon and that reflects a six-cent per gallon increase in the past week. Florida’s average price today, $2.68 per gallon, increased by five-cents per gallon in the past week; Georgia’s average price of $2.53 increased by eight-cents in the past week; and Tennessee’s average price today of $2.52 increased seven-cents.
CURRENT AND PAST PRICE AVERAGES
Regular Unleaded Gasoline
Current Week Ago Month Ago Year Ago
National: $2.660 $2.600 $2.637 $1.642
Florida: $2.683 $2.629 $2.691 $1.660
Georgia: $2.536 $2.453 $2.518 $1.519
Tennessee: $2.520 $2.451 $2.508 $1.488
AAA’s Daily Fuel Gauge Report (fuelgaugereport.com) is updated each day and is the most comprehensive; reflecting actual prices from credit card transactions within the past 24 hours at two-thirds (100,000 stations) of the gasoline stations in the U.S. Its accuracy is unparalleled.
