Gas Prices Surge Across State

Filling up the tank is getting a little more costly in Georgia.

The average price for a gallon of regular gas is $1.90 across the state. That's according to a survey released today from AAA.

And for the first time since November, the national average is more than $2 per gallon.

Midgrade averages $2.04 and premium $2.13 a gallon. Diesel now goes for around $2.16 a gallon.

That puts prices at the pump about 14 cents higher than last month but down $1.32 from the same time last year.

(Associated Press)

Drivers get gas pump bonus on Jan. 1

Georgia drivers will get a New Year’s gift at the gas pump starting Thursday as the state fuel tax drops by about 4 cents. Every six months the state Department of Revenue resets the gas tax--the state portion of taxes will fall from 11 cents, to 7.1 cents per gallon. That will also result in a drop in local sales taxes on gasoline. Drivers in Georgia and across the nation have been enjoying tumbling prices at the pump for the past couple of months. According to the Triple-A Fuel Gauge Report, the average for a gallon of regular unleaded in Georgia stands at $1.51.

Southeast will lead holiday driving

The AAA Auto Club South says the Southeast is expected to lead the country in motorists hitting the road for Christmas travel. The Triple A says about 64 million Americans are expected to travel at least 50 miles from home during the holiday period. 28 percent of them will be from the Southeast. Despite a rocky economy, the overall number of holiday travelers is expected to be down only about 2 percent from last year.

(Associated Press)

Gas prices continue falling

Georgia’s average price for a gallon of regular unleaded gasoline has fallen to $1.72. According to the AAA Fuel Gauge Report, that is 10-cents lower than the national average. The state’s average price is 60-cents lower than what it was a month ago.

Gas prices--on the fall

Georgia’s average price for a gallon of gasoline continues to fall, and is quickly catching up with the national average. A gallon of regular unleaded in the state is now $3.24--down 8 cents from yesterday and a drop of 17 cents in two days. According to the AAA fuel gauge report, the national average is now only 8 cents below Georgia’s mark.

The question to Gregg Laskoski of AAA--will drivers hit the roads more given falling prices? He doesn’t think so:

"The conservation that people have been practicing is with us to stay. People know they were burned when we saw those fuel prices as high as they were, and they also know once the springtime comes around we’re going to be looking at much higher gasoline prices".

...That’s because refineries early next year begin production of summer blend fuel, which costs more when it arrives in the market in May.

Laskoski says for now, prices below $3.00 could be seen by Halloween.

Gas prices inch slowly upward

The average price for a gallon of regular unleaded gasoline in Georgia this morning stands at $3.60--that’s according to the AAA fuel gauge report. In some areas of the state, this is a penny increase over yesterday. Georgia’s $3.60 average however, stands 8-cents lower than the national average. The lowest average for a gallon in Georgia can be found in Augusta, at $3.51. Pushing the higher average, prices in Albany and Savannah stand at $3.66 a gallon. Industry officials will watch the effect of Hurricane Gustav on oil prices this week.

Georgia gas prices continue to fall

Gas prices continue to fall in Georgia, following the national trend. AAA reports the price for a gallon of regular unleaded in Georgia has dropped about 38-cents over the last month, to an average $3.57. The current lowest average for a gallon is found in Augusta--$3.49. The highest average was found in Athens--$3.64

Gallon of gasoline average continues to fall

The average for a gallon of regular unleaded gasoline continues to fall in Georgia as it does around the nation. In Georgia, the average this morning according to AAA stands at $3.74 a gallon. Around the state, the lowest average for a gallon can be found in Columbus--$3.67. The highest average is in Albany--$3.80 for a gallon of regular unleaded.

State's gas average holds above 4-dollars

The average price for a gallon of regular unleaded gas in Georgia stands at $4.03. AAA reports the average is up about four cents from the price a month ago in the state. Georgia however, is four cents below the national average for a gallon of unleaded--$4.07. The cheapest average for gas in Georgia right now is in the Augusta-area, about $3.96 a gallon.

Gas still around $4.00 a gallon

AAA says the average price for gas in Georgia remained just above the $4 a gallon mark.

The statewide average for regular was $4.01 a gallon. Nationally, regular costs $4.08 a gallon.

Diesel was almost $4.78 a gallon. Midgrade costs $4.30 while premium was $4.49 a gallon. The highest metro average was found in Athens where motorists paid $4.03 a gallon for regular. The Augusta-Aiken area had the cheapest average price for regular at $3.95 a gallon.

Georgia set to raise gas tax

Georgia’s about to raise its gas tax. Later today, officials will post the new rate that will take effect July 1^st.

In Georgia, the price of every gallon includes about 18 cents in state taxes and 18 cents in federal taxes, plus a local tax that varies from county to county.

According to AAA, the average gas price in the state is currently $3.93.

Gas prices not expected to deter holiday drivers

Despite near-record high gas prices, more holiday travelers are expected on Georgia roads this year than last. AAA says over 1.1 million Georgians will travel 50 miles or more by car this week as gas prices hover nearly a dollar above what they were in 2006. Garrett Townsend, a spokesman for AAA South, says high gas prices rarely deter families from their holiday traditions. “We certainly have favorable weather with this time of year and a lot of people plan family trips, going down to Florida and visiting the amusement parks there. So, lots of favorable conditions in the Southeast region,” Townsend says. AAA forecasts a two percent increase in the number of Thanksgiving drivers in the Southeast this year -- the greatest increase for any U.S. region. Officials say the heaviest traffic on Georgia’s roadways will be Tuesday through Wednesday and then on Sunday, as people return home.