8 ON YOUR SIDE : National average gas prices rise for the first time since September

8 ON YOUR SIDE: Just in time for the Christmas and New Year’s holidays, AAA says national average gas prices are going up.

AAA says the national average had fallen to a 2023 low of $3.06 on December 18, only to rebound six cents to today’s average of $3.12. This marks the first weekly increase since September.

“Yukon Cornelius knows that Bumbles bounce, and evidently, so do gas prices,” said Andrew Gross, AAA spokesperson. “Daily gas prices will likely move back and forth for the next month or so.  Looking back at pre-pandemic 2019, the national average did not make a firm turn to moving higher daily until Valentine’s Day, February 14.”

Robust gas demand and elevated oil prices have jolted pump prices as the U.S. enters winter. With drivers heading to their holiday destinations, they may continue to see pump prices fluctuate slightly during this heavy travel season, AAA says.

Today’s national average of $3.12 is two cents more than a week ago, 17 cents less than a month ago, and two cents more than a year ago.

In Alabama, today’s average price for regular is $2.81.

Here’s how that compares to recent prices:

$2.81 – Now
$2.74 – Week ago
$2.87 – Month ago
$2.79 – Year ago

In the Action 8 News viewing area, prices range from a low of $2.74 in Covington County and $2.78 in Lee County to a high of $3.04 in Wilcox County and $3.00 in Perry County.

— AAA