With Christmas holidays fast approaching, there’s a growing debate whether gasoline prices will increase due to possible growing demand as the public ignores COVID-19 and has family gatherings or will the prices as the pump stay low.
Kiplinger’s predicts increased prices carrying into 2021 but still at low levels compared to one year ago. If the weather turns cold in the Northeast, it believes diesel prices might increase.
AAA predicts prices will remain low, explaining that since early November, the demand for gasoline has “softened.”
“Gasoline demand is down 14% year-over-year. The numbers we are seeing as of late are very similar to readings from May when many states were locked down and demand was very low,” said Jeanette Casselano McGee, AAA spokesperson. “The fact is, Americans are filling-up less as states re-introduce travel restrictions and the pandemic lingers.”
Gasoline prices nationally average $2.17 while in Oklahoma, the average price is $1.89, up two cents from a week ago and up 8 cents from a month ago. One year ago, Oklahoma motorists paid an average price of $2.24 per gallon.
At least 13 counties in Oklahoma have average prices of $2 a gallon or higher. The highest average is $2.28 a gallon in Harmon county in the southwest with nearby Greer County drivers paying 2.17 per gallon. The majority of the counties with $2-plus averages are in western Oklahoma.
The lowest average is $1.77 in Comanche County, home to Lawton and Fort Sill. Bryan County, home to Durant has an average price of $1.79 per gallon.
Motorists in Oklahoma City pay an average price of $1.90, up five inches per gallon in the past week but still below the $2.18 average last year. Tulsa drivers pay an average $1.83, two cents higher than last week. In Lawton, the average price is $1.78, four cents more than a week ago.
Still, Oklahoma prices are among the lowest in the region. Missouri’s average is $1.86 and in Texas, the average is $1.87. The average in Arkansas is $1.91. Drivers in Kansas find an average price of $1.96 while those in Colorado pay $2.21.
New Mexico’s average is $2.03.