AAA: Lowkey Fuel Prices Usher in Unofficial Start of Summer

WALNUT CREEK, Calif. – With crude oil prices lingering in the low $60s per barrel, drivers are reaping the benefits at the pump. The national average is down about 3 cents from last week, returning to what it was a month ago: $3.16. California’s average price is $4.81, a 6 cent drop from last week.

“While fuel prices are expected to remain on the lower side compared to last summer, weather is the wild card,” says Doug Johnson with AAA Mountain West Group.

The Atlantic hurricane season begins Sunday, and NOAA predicts a 60% chance of an above-normal season.

“Storms along the Gulf Coast can affect oil refineries and disrupt fuel deliveries,” says Johnson, “leading to a temporary increase in gas prices.”

In Contra Costa County:

May 30: $4.94
May 23: $5.02
May 17: $5.12
May 9 – $5.07
May 2 – $4.88
April 26 – $4.89
April 18 – $4.97
April 11 – $5.08
April 3 – $5.08
March 28 – $4.83
March 21 – $4.75
March 14 – $4.81
March 6 – $4.91
Feb 28 – $5.00
Feb 20 – $5.06
Feb 14 – $5.05
Feb 7 – $4.59

Fuel Prices Around the State:

San Francisco: $5.07
Oakland: $4.96
San Jose: $4.92
Sacramento: $4.90
Fresno: $4.83
Stockton: $4.82

According to new data from the Energy Information Administration (EIA), gasoline demand increased from 8.64 million b/d last week to 9.45. Total domestic gasoline supply decreased from 225.5 million barrels to 223.1. Gasoline production increased last week, averaging 9.8 million barrels per day.

Oil Market Dynamics

At the close of Wednesday’s formal trading session, WTI increased 95 cents to settle at $61.84 a barrel. The EIA reports that crude oil inventories decreased by 2.8 million barrels from the previous week. At 440.4 million barrels, U.S. crude oil inventories are about 6% below the five-year average for this time of year.

EV Charging

The national average per kilowatt hour of electricity at a public EV charging station stayed the same this past week at 36 cents.

State Stats

Gas

The nation’s top 10 most expensive gasoline markets are California ($4.81), Hawaii ($4.48), Washington ($4.42), Oregon ($4.02), Nevada ($3.90), Alaska ($3.66), Illinois ($3.39), Idaho ($3.34), Arizona ($3.33), and Utah ($3.31).

The nation’s top 10 least expensive gasoline markets are Mississippi ($2.65), Louisi-ana ($2.72), Tennessee ($2.72), Alabama ($2.74), Texas ($2.75), Arkansas ($2.80), South Carolina ($2.82), North Carolina ($2,837), Missouri ($2.86), and Kentucky ($2.875).

Electric

The nation’s top 10 most expensive states for public charging per kilowatt hour are Alaska (51 cents), West Virginia (49 cents), Tennessee (48 cents), Hawaii (46 cents), Montana (45 cents), Louisiana (44 cents), New Hampshire (42 cents), South Carolina (42 cents), Arkansas (42 cents), and Kentucky (42 cents).

The nation’s top 10 least expensive states for public charging per kilowatt hour are Kansas (25 cents), Missouri (27 cents), Maryland (28 cents), Delaware (29 cents), Ne-braska (30 cents), Utah (30 cents), Iowa (32 cents), Massachusetts (33 cents), New Mexico (33 cents), and District of Columbia (33 cents).

Drivers can find current gas and electric charging prices along their route using the AAA Mobile App, now available on CarPlay

Fine current fuel prices at GasPrices.AAA.com. Find local news releases at mwg.aaa.com/news/press-release.

About AAA Mountain West Group
AAA Mountain West Group is a membership and full-service leisure travel organization, proudly serving over 6.7 million Members across Northern California, Arizona, Utah, Nevada, Montana, Wyoming, and Alaska. AAA delivers unmatched expertise and value through roadside assistance and electric vehicle (EV) resources, along with comprehensive auto repair, travel, insurance, financial, and home security services. Powered by 5,300 dedicated Team Members, AAA is on a mission to revolutionize solutions that help our Members

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