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National gas price average holds steady for 12 days; Kentucky price drops 3 cents from last week


The new year has started, but the national gas price average remains unchanged, holding steady at $2.25 for the last 12 days. Meanwhile, after climbing over a dime during the past couple of weeks, the average gas price in Kentucky began edging back downward, although the average price has been stable the last couple of days.

Pump price stability at the start of the year is credited to consistent crude oil prices in late December, about $47-48 per barrel, combined with low demand. U.S. gasoline demand, as recorded by the Energy Information Administration (EIA), was at the lowest level for the last week of December in 23 years (since 1998) – at 8.1 million barrels per day.

“Holiday road travel was down at least 25 percent. With fewer people on the road, the majority of states saw little change at the pump from the last week of 2020 to the first few days of 2021,” said Lori Weaver Hawkins, public and government affairs manager, AAA Blue Grass.

While the national gas price average is 9 cents more than last month, January gas prices are already 33 cents cheaper than this time last year. That is the largest year-over-year difference at the beginning of January since 2015.

AAA expects demand to dwindle in coming weeks and gas prices to likely be cheaper, especially if crude oil holds at the current price point.

How high or low gas prices will go in 2021 will largely depend on crude oil prices, supply and demand. AAA expects that as the vaccine becomes more widely available and states loosen travel restrictions, Americans will begin to drive more and at that point we will see an impact at the pump. At $2.17, 2020 saw the lowest annual national gas price average since 2016.

Gas Prices Continue Lower Around the Bluegrass

Today’s average of $2.11 in Kentucky is 8 cents higher than a month ago, but 3 cents less than a week ago. It is well below the Commonwealth’s average of $2.43 seen a year ago. In Lexington, the average price is $2.14, down 7 cents from last week, but now 7 cents higher than a month ago. A year ago, the average price in Lexington was $2.51.

Surrounding communities have also seen gas prices fall in the past week. In Nicholasville, the average price is down 5 cents, now at just $2.04. Georgetown is down 6 cents, now averaging $2.17. Versailles is down 3 cents to land at $2.23, while Winchester is down 11 cents at $2.06. Richmond is down 4 cents, landing at $2.20.

Owensboro is the community with the lowest price in Kentucky at $1.98. The high spot in the Commonwealth is Louisville, at $2.21.

Quick Stats

The nation’s top 10 year-over-year decreases: Arizona (-60 cents), Utah (-53 cents), West Virginia (-48 cents), Alaska (-48 cents), Idaho (-46 cents), Wyoming (-43 cents), Colorado (-42 cents), Oregon (-42 cents), Connecticut (-42 cents) and Vermont (-41 cents).

The nation’s top 10 least expensive markets: Mississippi ($1.92), Texas ($1.93), Missouri ($1.95), Louisiana ($1.96), Oklahoma ($1.98), Arkansas ($1.99), South Carolina ($2.01), Kansas ($2.01), Alabama ($2.02) and Tennessee ($2.04).

Oil Market Dynamics

At the close of last week’s formal trading session, WTI increased by 12 cents to settle at $48.50. Crude prices increased last week due to a weak dollar and rising market optimism that coronavirus vaccines will help crude oil demand recover in 2021. However, as coronavirus infection rates continue to climb and travel restrictions increase, crude prices will likely be capped this week.

Motorists can find current gas prices along their route with the free AAA Mobile app for iPhone, iPad and Android. The app can also be used to map a route, find discounts, book a hotel and access AAA roadside assistance. Learn more at AAA.com/mobile.

AAA Blue Grass


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