U.S. Gas Prices Hold Steady Amid Seasonal Lull, But Regional Disparities Widen
U.S. drivers saw little change at the pump over the past week, with the national average price for a gallon of regular gasoline dipping just a penny to $2.88, according to the latest data from AAA compiled by CheapInsurance.com. The marginal decline continues a trend of winter stability, with prices now 7.2% lower than this time last year.
While the national figure suggests calm, significant regional disparities persist. The cheapest fuel can be found in the Le Flore-Sequoyah area of Oklahoma at $2.26 per gallon, followed by Lubbock, Texas ($2.27), and Norfolk, Nebraska ($2.30). In stark contrast, drivers in several Western states face prices well above the $4.50 mark.
By The Numbers:
Gasoline (Regular)
- Current National Average: $2.88
- Week-over-Week Change: -$0.01 (-0.2%)
- Year-over-Year Change: -$0.22 (-7.2%)
- All-Time High: $5.02 (June 14, 2022)
Diesel
- Current National Average: $3.61
- Week-over-Week Change: +$0.03 (+1.0%)
- Year-over-Year Change: -$0.05 (-1.4%)
- All-Time High: $5.82 (June 19, 2022)
The most expensive gasoline markets are all located on the West Coast, a region historically vulnerable to refinery outages and stricter fuel blend requirements. The top five are:
- San Luis Obispo-Atascadero, CA: $4.91
- Santa Barbara, CA: $4.60
- Salinas, CA: $4.55
- San Diego, CA: $4.55
- Los Angeles, CA: $4.54
Analysts note that the current plateau is typical for early February, a period of low demand between the winter holidays and the spring driving season. However, they caution that geopolitical tensions and the scheduled transition to summer-grade gasoline blends could push prices upward in the coming months.
Voices from the Pump
Michael Torres, Logistics Manager (Atlanta, GA): "A penny down is better than a penny up, but it's noise. The real story is diesel inching up again. That's what moves goods and ultimately hits consumer prices. This 'stability' feels fragile."
Rebecca Chen, Software Engineer (San Jose, CA): "Seeing a national average under $3 is almost humorous from out here. We're paying nearly $5. It's a massive hidden tax on living in California that doesn't get enough attention in these national reports."
David Park, College Student (Norman, OK): "I filled up for $2.29 yesterday. It makes a huge difference for my budget. I feel for my friends on the coasts, but it's a reminder of how local economics and infrastructure really matter."
Linda Marcus, Retired Teacher (Portland, OR): "It's outrageous! Big Oil is still raking in record profits while playing games with regional supplies. A $2.65 difference between states isn't an 'anomaly'; it's market manipulation. The government needs to step in and investigate these blatant price gouging schemes on the West Coast."
This story was produced by CheapInsurance.com and reviewed and distributed by Stacker.