Gasoline prices dropped only slightly in the past few days in Oklahoma as the state joins the nation in observing the Thanksgiving holiday this week, an observance that means millions of Americans will hit the road for travel.
Oklahoma’s average dropped 3 cents from $2.99 to a Monday morning average of $2.96 reported the American Automobile Association. A year ago, the state’s average was $1.80 per gallon of regular gasoline.
Despite the slight decline in prices, 17 counties in the state still have averages ranging from $3.08 to $3.19 per gallon. Motorists in Woods County and Alva pay the highest average at $3.19 a gallon. Hughes County is second highest with an average of $3.17 while the other counties in the range are Coal, Harmon, Ellis, Beaver, Roger Mills, Johnston, Greer, Stephens, Pontotoc and Logan counties.
Only 13 counties are in the lowest price range of $2.80 to $2.91. Oklahoma City’s average is $2.91, a drop of 3 cents in the past week while a year ago, motorists paid only $1.77 average.
Tulsa saw a 10-day drop in its average which fell to $2.89, still much higher than the $1.76 average from last year at this time.
Lawton’s average is $2.81, only a penny lower than a week ago.
Oklahoma’s average of $2.96 is still lowest in the region and is the only one of surrounding states to have an average less than $3. Other averages are $3 in Texas, $3.06 in Missouri, $3.03 in Arkansas, $3.34 in New Mexico, $3.46 in Colorado and $3.06 in Kansas.
The national average of $3.40 as of this week, according to AAA is only a penny less than a week ago. Gasoline demand dropped slightly from 9.26 million b/d to 9.24 million b/d. With the decline in demand, prices held steady for several days and took a slight drop in the past day. The AAA reported that prices still remain elevated as long as oil prices are near $80 a barrel.
Largest Weekly Changes
Since last Thursday, these 10 states have seen the largest changes in their averages: Arizona (+8 cents), Florida (+7 cents), California (+5 cents), Michigan (−4 cents), Indiana (−4 cents), Ohio (−4 cents), Oklahoma (−3 cents), Texas (−3 cents), Delaware (−3 cents) and Washington, D.C. (−3 cents).
Source: AAA
