As winter fades, drivers are seeing some relief at the gas pump. The national average for a gallon of gas dropped three cents this week to $3.12, marking a slight decline as seasonal maintenance wraps up and demand holds steady.
According to the latest data from the Energy Information Administration (EIA), gasoline demand rose from 8.23 million barrels per day (b/d) last week to 8.45 million b/d. Meanwhile, the total domestic gasoline supply increased slightly to 248.3 million barrels, even as production dipped to 9.2 million barrels per day.
Despite the small drop in prices, the national average remains unchanged from a month ago and 14 cents lower than the same time last year. California continues to lead the country with the highest gas prices at $4.81 per gallon, followed by Hawaii and Washington. On the other end, Mississippi drivers are paying the least at $2.67 per gallon, with Texas and Oklahoma not far behind.
The oil market also saw shifts this week, with West Texas Intermediate crude settling at $68.62 per barrel, down 31 cents. U.S. crude oil inventories fell by 2.3 million barrels, bringing total stockpiles to 430.2 million barrels—4% below the five-year average for this time of year.
Meanwhile, electric vehicle owners are seeing stable prices at public charging stations. The national average per kilowatt hour remains at 34 cents. Hawaii tops the list with the highest charging costs at 55 cents per kilowatt hour, while Kansas offers the cheapest rate at 22 cents.
Drivers looking to track gas and charging prices along their routes can use the AAA TripTik Travel planner for real-time updates.
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