The national average price for regular gas decreased again on Wednesday to $4.11 per gallon. It was the fifth day since Friday that gas prices nationwide have dropped, according to AAA.
Fuel costs on Wednesday dropped 1 cent per gallon from Tuesday. Additionally, Wednesday’s national average price was less expensive than a week ago, when regular gas cost $4.16 per gallon. It was the first time since February that the average gas price from a week ago was more expensive than the current price. Prices remain higher than a month ago, when a gallon of regular gas cost $3.70. Today’s prices are also higher than a year ago, when gas was on average $3.17 per gallon.
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Since gas hit $2.79 per gallon on Jan. 12, a five-year low, prices have gradually increased. Initially, winter weather nationwide was blamed for the rise in fuel costs, as snowstorms in January and February disrupted oil refinery operations and production. However, fuel prices began to soar after the Iran war began in late February. During the first week of March, a gallon of regular gas increased to $2.98. By March 31, the national average price for regular gas rose to $4.02 per gallon.
Regardless of national highs and lows, fuel costs vary by region. The lowest gas prices are currently found in Midwestern states, while the highest prices are along the Pacific coast.
Oklahoma has the nation’s lowest gas prices, at $3.44 per gallon. Kansas is next at $3.51 per gallon. North Dakota has the next-lowest gas prices in the nation, with a statewide average of $3.62 per gallon. This is followed by Nebraska at $3.63 per gallon and Iowa at $3.65.
California remains the state with the highest statewide average gas price in the country, at $5.88 per gallon. This is followed by Hawaii at $5.651 per gallon. Next is Washington state at $5.39, and then Oregon at just under $5. Nevada rounds out the top five with a cost of $4.96 per gallon.
Washington, D.C.
Gas prices in the nation’s capital are higher than the national average, with a cost on Wednesday of $4.29. This was a slight drop from Tuesday’s average of $4.30, and prices have held steady in the District over the past seven days. A month ago, fuel costs were much lower in D.C., at $3.70 per gallon.
Maryland
Fuel prices in Maryland dropped to $4.10 per gallon on Wednesday. This was a 1-cent decrease from Tuesday. A week ago, the statewide average in Maryland was just under $4.20 per gallon. As in every state, gas prices in Maryland were significantly lower a month ago, when the state’s average price was $3.60 per gallon.
Delaware
Gas prices in Delaware were lower than the national average on Wednesday, at $3.97 per gallon. A week ago, gas in Delaware was about 7 cents higher. A month ago, the average price for a gallon of regular gas in the state was only $3.40.
Virginia
The average price for a gallon of regular gas in Virginia on Wednesday is $3.97, cheaper than the national average and lower than Washington, D.C. Gas prices in Virginia decreased from a week ago, when gas was $4.08 per gallon. Fuel costs in the state were also significantly cheaper than a month ago, when a gallon of regular gas was $3.49.
