Year-End Gas Prices Edge Higher

December 30, 2019 - A year-end spike in road trip travel due to the holidays helped to push the national average more expensive on the week – up four cents to $2.58. Compared to last month, the national average is the same price, but 31 cents more expensive than the end of 2018.

“The majority of states saw gas prices increase in the last week – some by as much as a nickel to a dime, but any spikes in gas prices that motorists are seeing will be short-lived,” said Marilyn Buskohl, AAA spokesperson. “AAA expects gas prices to decrease following the holidays.”

South Dakota Gas Prices

In 2019, the national gas price average was $2.61, which is ten cents cheaper than the 2018 average of $2.71.

Quick Stats 

• The nation’s top 10 largest weekly increases are: Michigan (+12 cents), Ohio (+9 cents), Indiana (+8 cents), Illinois (+7 cents), Delaware (+7 cents), Texas (+6 cents), West Virginia (+5 cents), Louisiana (+5 cents), North Carolina (+5 cents) and Alabama (+5 cents).
• The nation’s top 10 least expensive markets are: Missouri ($2.21), Mississippi ($2.25), Oklahoma ($2.26), Texas ($2.28), Arkansas ($2.28), Louisiana ($2.28), Kansas ($2.28), Alabama ($2.31), South Carolina ($2.32) and Tennessee ($2.32).

Great Lakes and Central States

Missouri ($2.21) carries the cheapest gas price average in the Great Lakes and Central region and the country. On the flip side, Illinois ($2.65) touts the most expensive average for the region. On the week, the majority of Great Lakes and Central states have more expensive averages, with Michigan (+12 cents), Ohio (+9 cents), Indiana (+8 cents) and Illinois (+7 cents) seeing the largest jumps, which land these states on the 10 top list of biggest weekly changes in the country.

Despite a nearly 400,000 bbl build in gasoline stocks, gasoline prices in the region are up due to year-end holiday travel. Data from the Energy Information Admiration (EIA) lists total stocks at 52 million bbl, which is about 1 million more than this time last year. Stocks are expected to continue to build and drive gas prices cheaper in the new year. 

Oil Market Dynamics 

At the close of Friday’s formal trading session on the NYMEX, WTI decreased by four cents to settle at $61.72. Crude prices rose last week after EIA’s petroleum status report revealed that total domestic crude stocks decreased by 5.5 million bbl to 441.4 million bbl last week. Total domestic stocks are now at the level they held last year at this time. If EIA’s report this week shows another reduction, crude prices could increase again. Higher crude prices will likely help to push pump prices higher moving into next year.

Motorists can find current gas prices along their route with the free AAA Mobile app for iPhone, iPad and Android. The app can also be used to map a route, find discounts, book a hotel and access AAA roadside assistance. Learn more at AAA.com/mobile. 

###