Despite rising from $3 a gallon average in the past month to $3.14 a gallon for gasoline this week, Oklahoma remains one of the top ten states with the cheapest gasoline prices in the country.
AAA reported the new state average is a penny lower than a week ago but 14 cents higher than a month earlier and 5 cents below last year’s average at this time of $3.19.
The $3.14 average compares to a national average of $3.50 per gallon. The US cost rose last week to $3.54, which was10 cents more than a month ago and the same as a year ago.
AAA reported that Lawton has the lowest metro average at $3.07, up one cent from a week earlier and 17 cents more than one month ago. However, a check with GasBuddy shows there is much cheaper gas in Oklahoma City, including one station pumping it at $2.69 per gallon.
But AAA says Oklahoma City matches the statewide average at $3.14, six cents cheaper than a week earlier and 13 cents higher than a month ago.
Tulsa has the highest metro average at $3.21, four cents higher than last week and 23 cents more than last month.
Counties with the lowest averages are Okmulgee and Adair each with an average at $2.97 per gallon followed by Cotton, Jackson and Kay at $3.
Highes prices? Coal County as usual claims the top spot with a $3.51 average while Greer county in the southwest is second highest at $3.45 followed by Logan and Ellis counties at $3.43.
States around Oklahoma include Texas at $3.12, Arkansas $3.14, Missouri $3.22, Kansas $3.16, Colorado $3.33 and New Mexicco $3.25.
AAA reported the national average actually increased last week to $3.54 and was considered only a “slight nudge higher” despite Hurricane Beryl hitting Texas and a record number of car travelers on July 4.
“The damage from Beryl caused limited damage to Gulf Coast energy facilities,” said Andrew Gross, AAA spokesperson. “And while a record 60 million travelers were forecast to hit the highways for the July 4th holiday, the overall demand number for gasoline dropped. That is a rare feat for a holiday week and may point to a change in demand trends.”
The nation’s top 10 most expensive markets, according to AAA, are California ($4.78), Hawaii ($4.69), Washington ($4.28), Nevada ($4.04), Oregon ($4.02), Illinois ($3.89), Alaska ($3.87), Washington DC ($3.71), Pennsylvania ($3.69), and New York ($3.63).
The nation’s top 10 least expensive markets are Mississippi ($3.09), Arkansas ($3.07), Louisiana ($3.11), Tennessee ($3.13), Oklahoma ($3.15), Kansas ($3.16), Texas ($3.17), Missouri ($3.17), Alabama ($3.20), and Nebraska ($3.26).