Gas Prices Drop .8 Cents In Chattanooga

Average retail gasoline prices in Chattanooga have fallen 0.8 cents per gallon in the past week, averaging $1.82 per gallon on Sunday, according to GasBuddy's daily survey of 170 gas outlets in Chattanooga. This compares with the national average that has fallen 2.3 cents per gallon in the last week to $2.02 per gallon, according to gasoline price website GasBuddy.com.

Including the change in gas prices in Chattanooga during the past week, prices on Sunday were 124.5 cents per gallon lower than the same day one year ago and are 25.6 cents per gallon lower than a month ago.

The national average has decreased 27.1 cents per gallon during the last month and stands 125.8 cents per gallon lower than this day one year ago.

"Welcome back, $1.99! This is the week that we'll see the return to a national average of $1.99 per gallon, but motorists shouldn't expect it to last very long. Refineries have been processing less crude oil and thus producing less gasoline, which will contribute to a soft bottoming out of the national average before a small recovery back in the very low $2's," said Patrick DeHaan, senior petroleum analyst with GasBuddy. "And while this year will still feature far lower prices than last year, we'll be subject to a seasonal lift in gasoline prices as refineries slow production to do maintenance and to make the progressive switch over to cleaner burning summer gasoline. Last year's lift began the second week of February and saw the upward trend last until the beginning of May, during which, the national average saw a rise of 35 cents a gallon. This year we're expecting a similar rise, though the previous few years the rise has averaged 30-65 cents per gallon." Mr. DeHaan said.

"On the diesel side of things, price drops have continued to outpace drops in gasoline prices. Diesel prices dropped an average 7 cents per gallon in the last week to $2.835 per gallon. By the start of February, diesel will fall under $2.80 per gallon, and by Valentines Day, they'll fall to $2.65 per gallon, a sweetheart deal for consumers and trucking companies that have seen diesel prices lag behind gasoline prices," Mr. DeHaan predicted.

Some quick gasoline price statistics as of Monday morning:
•       Missouri has the lowest state average in the country; at $1.79 today, it is one of 27 states averaging under $2.00 per gallon.
•       There is only one state averaging above $3.00 per galllon today: Hawaii ($3.27).
•       In the lower 48 states, California has the highest average at $2.45, followed by New York at $2.42.
•       Every state has a lower average today than the same day last year. Ohio, at $1.89 today, has seen the biggest drop from the same day last year, down $1.40 from its Jan. 26 average.
•       Only one state has an average less than $1.00 lower than last year: Hawaii (76cts lower).
•       There are only three states that don’t have a single station reporting a price under $2.00 per gallon:
1.      Vermont (lowest station reporting at $2.05)
2.      Alaska (lowest station reporting at $2.29)
3.      Hawaii (lowest station reporting at $2.73)