The national average price for regular gas has gradually increased this week. Friday’s prices were slightly higher than the average cost of regular gas this time last week. The steady climb in gas prices comes as people head into Memorial Day weekend.
The average price for a gallon of regular-grade gas on Friday was $3.609, as reported by AAA. This was an increase from the average cost a week ago, which was $3.597 per gallon.
Friday’s prices were also slightly higher than those at the beginning of the week. Regular-grade gas averaged $3.59 per gallon on Monday, and on Tuesday, it ticked up to $3.598 per gallon.
However, there was a silver lining amid the fluctuating gas prices.
While Friday’s prices were higher overall compared to Monday and Tuesday, as well as last Friday, the average cost for gas decreased compared to the rest of the week. On Wednesday, prices reached $3.611 per gallon, and on Thursday, the average price for a gallon of regular gas hit a weekly high of $3.615.
Friday’s average price of regular gas was higher than in May 2023, when gas was $3.561 per gallon. This continued the trend of higher gas prices overall in 2024.
Mississippi stands out as the state with the most affordable gas prices in the nation, with a gallon costing $3.058. On the other end of the spectrum, California continues to hold the record for the highest gas prices, with an average cost of $5.138 per gallon on Friday.
The cost of regular gas varies greatly depending on the state. To see how expensive gas is in each state heading into Memorial Day weekend, click here.
Here is a look at gas prices in and around the Washington metropolitan area heading into the holiday weekend.
Washington
The average price per gallon in Washington on Friday is $3.701, above the national average. However, this was a slight decrease from Thursday, when gas prices were $3.704 per gallon. It was also down from last week when the average cost of a gallon of gas was $3.710.
Virginia
Gas prices in Virginia continue to be below the national average. On Friday, a gallon of regular-grade gas in Virginia cost $3.471. This was a slight increase from Thursday, when it was $3.470 per gallon. It follows the trend of average gas prices increasing in the state. Last week, the average cost for a gallon of regular-grade gas was $3.412.
Maryland
On Friday, the average gallon of regular gas in Maryland cost $3.667, which is above the national average. This is a slight increase from Thursday, when a gallon cost $3.666. It is also a hike compared to Wednesday, when gas prices were $3.639 per gallon. Moreover, it’s also a significant increase in price compared to last week, when regular gas in the state averaged $3.559 per gallon.
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Delaware
In Delaware, a gallon of regular gas on Friday costs an average of $3.521, which is below the national average. Friday’s price slightly decreased from Thursday, when gas prices averaged $3.523 per gallon. However, it was still a relatively large increase from last week, when the average cost for a gallon of regular gas was $3.453.
Pennsylvania
Gas prices in the Keystone State were much higher than the national average, coming in at an average price of $3.776 per gallon on Friday. This, too, was a slight decrease from Thursday’s average price, which was $3.778 per gallon. Friday’s gas price in Pennsylvania followed the trend of being more expensive than last week when the cost was $3.752 per gallon.
