The Week

The national average for a gallon of unleaded gasoline fell under $2 per gallon for the first time in four years on Tuesday. Locally, gas prices are following this trend. Prices in the Washington, D.C. metro are within six cents of $2 while the District of Columbia is still 26 cents away. Statewide prices in Maryland dropped to $1.99 today for the first time since March 21, 2016. The decline is due to the effects of COVID-19 on the global economy and the crude oil price war between Saudi Arabia and Russia. Crude prices have remained more than $30 lower than one year ago.

Today’s national gas price average is $1.95, down 10 cents in the last week, down 47 cents in the last month and down 75 cents from this time last year. “Oil futures went out on a rare Friday high note, posting significant gains on increasing likelihood of production curtailment, according to the Oil Price Information Service (OPIS).

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 $28.34 per barrel, $6.83 higher than last Friday’s close, down 40% in the past month and down $32.84 (54%) since the beginning of the year. Oil prices rallied Thursday, sending U.S. prices up by nearly 25 percent after President Trump suggested that Saudi Arabia and Russia would discuss an agreement to significantly cut oil production. In addition, oil prices moved higher on Thursday based on the prospect of a decline in U.S. crude production and a report that China is building its stockpiles. The Energy Information Administration (EIA) reported Wednesday that U.S. crude supplies rose for the 10th straight week.

The Weekend

“The global impact that the coronavirus is having on demand has meant a nose dive for prices at the pump both locally and nationally,” says John B. Townsend II, manager of Public and Government Affairs for AAA Mid-Atlantic. “AAA expects gas prices to keep dropping as lower crude prices combine with the realities of people staying home and less demand for gas.”

The Week Ahead

While demand is diminishing, COVID-19 is not impacting the U.S. gasoline supply. The U.S. has an unusual amount of winter-blend gasoline still available for this time of year. This caused the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to extend the sale of winter-blend past the May 1 deadline to May 20. The agency said they would continue to monitor and may extend the waiver again. The EPA’s extension of the winter-blend gasoline waiver will contribute to sustained lower prices, especially as U.S. gasoline demand readings look more like winter-driving season than spring. AAA forecasts that until crude oil prices and gasoline demand increase, cheaper gas prices are here for the foreseeable future.

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, April 3, 2020

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AAA provides automotive, travel and insurance services to 60 million members nationwide and nearly 82,000 members in the District of Columbia.  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 app for iPhone, iPad and Android. For more information, visit  https://aaa.com