The Week
Since last Friday, the national average, along with the averages for the Philadelphia 5 county area, South Jersey and Delaware have either stayed stagnant or decreased by a penny or two. Although today’s local prices are slightly higher than one month ago, they are at least 10 cents lower than last year. In the new weekly report from the Energy Information Administration (EIA), gas demand decreased again, helping pump prices to decline. Low demand will likely help pump prices to continue their descent as summer fades to fall. 

Today’s national gas price average is $2.20, down two cents in the last week, up three cents in the last month, and down 36 cents from this time last year.

CURRENT AND PAST GAS PRICE AVERAGES
Regular Unleaded Gasoline (*indicates record high) 

 At the close of NYMEX trading Friday, West Texas Intermediate (WTI) crude oil settled at $37.33 per barrel, $2.44 lower than last Friday’s close. Domestic crude prices decreased after EIA’s weekly report revealed that total domestic crude inventories increased, signaling that crude demand is starting to decline. Crude prices may continue to drop if production does not rebalance to meet lower demand ahead of fall, which typically sees fewer drivers hitting the roads for trips due to colder weather. 

The Weekend
“Summer may be fading into the rearview mirror, but less expensive gas prices are not,” says Jana L. Tidwell, manager of Public and Government Affairs for AAA Mid-Atlantic. “Moving into fall we traditionally see a drop in demand and further savings at the pump. This year that means pump prices could possibly push even lower then we’ve already seen in 2020.” 

The Week Ahead
Motorists saw plenty of savings at the pump from Memorial Day through Labor Day. The national gas price average during the unofficial start and stop to summer was $2.15 – the cheapest since 2004. Demand was decimated this summer, which ultimately meant increased supply and cheap gas prices. That trend continues. Conditions in the tropics could change that, however, as the very active hurricane season continues.

AAA has a variety of resources to help motorists save on fuel:

• Shell Fuel Rewards Program for AAA Members: (https://www.AAA.com/Shell) gives AAA members nationwide a discount on gasoline at Shell stations when they join the Fuel Rewards® program.
• Fuel Price Finder (https://www.AAA.com/fuelfinder) locates the lowest fuel price in your area.
• AAA Gas Cost Calculator (https://gasprices.aaa.com/aaa-gas-cost-calculator/) helps budget travel expenses.
• TripTik Mobile (https://www.aaa.com/mobile) plots fuel prices along your travel route.
• AAA's Member Rewards Visa® Credit Card (https://www.AAA.com/financial/AAAvisa.htm) accumulates double points on fuel purchases.

AAA is the most comprehensive resource for gas prices. Unlike the Lundberg Survey of 7,000 gas stations, AAA reports reflect actual prices from credit card transactions at more than 100,000 gas stations in the U.S.

Next Weekend Gas Watch: Friday, September 18, 2020

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AAA provides automotive, travel and insurance services to 60 million members nationwide and more than 3.2 million members in Pennsylvania.  AAA advocates for the safety and mobility of its members and has been committed to outstanding road service for more than 100 years.  The not-for-profit, fully tax-paying member organization works on behalf of motorists, who can now map a route, find local gas prices, discover discounts, book a hotel and track their roadside assistance service with the AAA Mobile appss for iPhone, iPad and Android.  For more information, visit www.AAA.com.