Georgia gas prices have climbed above $4 a gallon as rising crude oil costs continue to push up prices at the pump following the Labor Day holiday, as the war in Iran has intensified and spread into a regional war affecting multiple Middle Eastern nations.
The statewide average for regular unleaded gasoline stands at $4.01 per gallon, according to AAA. That’s 12 cents higher than a week ago, 20 cents higher than a month ago and $1.12 higher than a year ago.
At the current average, filling a 15-gallon tank costs about $60.15.
Georgia’s average remains 48 cents below the state’s record high of $4.49 per gallon, set in June 2022.
“Georgia drivers are facing continued pain at the pump as rising crude oil prices drive fuel costs higher,” said Montrae Waiters, spokeswoman for AAA – The Auto Club Group. “With oil above $100 per barrel, there’s no clear indication of when gas prices may decline or how high they could go. We know these higher costs are challenging for many households, which is why drivers should look for opportunities to save whenever possible, from comparing prices to improving fuel efficiency.”
What about Cobb County prices?
The average price for a gallon of regular unleaded in Cobb County is the same as the statewide rate at $4.01.
Diesel fuel remains elevated
U.S. diesel prices remain sharply elevated. The national average retail price for on-highway diesel was $5.97 per gallon as of Sept. 7, up nearly 37 cents from the previous week and about $2.20 from a year earlier, according to the U.S. Energy Information Administration. Since that report, AAA reports that prices have risen further, to a national average of $6.23.
Prices have been driven higher by increased crude-oil and wholesale diesel costs. The EIA reported that West Texas Intermediate (WTU) crude reached $92.69 per barrel on Sept. 4, compared with $62.22 a year earlier. As of this morning, WTI has risen to 102.44.
The country continues to produce and distribute diesel, but supplies remain relatively tight. U.S. distillate inventories—which include diesel fuel and heating oil—rose by 2.1 million barrels during the week ending Sept. 4, reaching 106.3 million barrels. However, stocks remained 13% below the five-year average and nearly 12% below their level a year earlier. Refineries operated at a high 97.8% of capacity and produced about 5.3 million barrels of distillate per day, indicating that the problem is a limited supply cushion rather than a nationwide fuel shortage. The figures are included in the EIA’s latest Weekly Petroleum Status Report
What about EV charging rates?
EV charging rates were hovering around 42 cents per kilowatt hour at commercial DC fast charging stations nationally, with the rates slightly cheaper in Georgia at 41 cents.
Home charging is much cheaper, particularly during overnight off-peak hours. Check your local utility provider for rates.
National gas price jumps 17 cents in a week
Gas prices are also rising sharply nationwide. The national average increased 17 cents over the past week to $4.31 per gallon as crude oil prices remained above $100 per barrel.
Higher oil costs are continuing to put upward pressure on gasoline prices even as fuel demand typically declines at this time of year. The national average is now at levels comparable to those seen in early June.
Savannah, Macon and Atlanta have Georgia’s highest gas prices
Among Georgia metro markets, Savannah has the state’s highest average at $4.05 per gallon, followed by Macon at $4.04 and Atlanta at $4.03.
The least expensive metro markets are Catoosa-Dade-Walker at $3.92, Rome at $3.94 and Augusta-Aiken at $3.95.
Georgia gas prices compared with previous averages
| Current | Week ago | Month ago | One year ago | Record high | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Georgia | $4.01 | $3.89 | $3.81 | $2.89 | $4.49 (June 15, 2022) |
| National | $4.31 | $4.14 | $4.07 | $3.17 | $5.01 (June 14, 2022) |
Editor’s note: AI was used in the production of this article. To read about when and why we made use of AI, read our article “How, When and Why the Cobb County Courier uses AI.”