Richmond, Virginia (Wednesday May 12, 2021) -Virginia’s gas price average climbed eight cents overnight, and eleven cents in the past two days, in the wake of the cybersecurity attack last week on the Colonial Pipeline and the rush of drivers yesterday flocking to stations across the state to fill up. That higher than normal demand resulted in long lines at the pumps and limited fuel availability and outages at some Virginia stations. The Associated Press reports more than 1,000 gas stations across the south reported running out of fuel, primarily because of panic-buying among drivers.

With Colonial Pipeline officials working towards restoring service by the end of the week, the company’s CEO is expected to make an announcement later today regarding a full restart. Some smaller lateral lines between terminals on the Colonial Pipeline and delivery points are now operational, including a line which runs from Greensboro, NC to Woodbine, MD.  Today, Colonial also began manually opening parts of the pipeline to transport fuel to Georgia, Maryland, New Jersey and North and South Carolina, according to media reports.  The US DOT has issued a temporary hours-of-service exemption for tank truck drivers to help alleviate some of the current supply disruption and for when the pipeline is operational. 

AAA is reminding drivers that there is ample gasoline supply in the United States. It is just a matter of getting deliveries to stations to meet demand and that there is no need to panic buy or to stock up on gas in portable containers.   “We advise against carrying extra gasoline in your vehicle – it is dangerous and can prove deadly,” said Morgan Dean, AAA Mid-Atlantic Spokesperson. “Consider filling up when you have a quarter of a tank of fuel remaining.”

GAS PRICES FROM AAA

Average price per gallon of self-serve, regular gasoline. 
Gas prices provided by AAA, https://gasprices.aaa.com/

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

• AAA Shell Gas Discount: (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 ‘pumping’ up its ‘Don’t Drive Intoxticated, Don't Drive 'Intexticated’ distracted driving campaign by targeting motorists where they are most likely to see it – at gas stations.  The Don’t Drive Intoxicated, Don’t Drive Intexticated messaging can be seen at select gas stations in Richmond, Virginia right on the pump handle and/or sitting atop the pumps themselves.  Everyone is encouraged to take the pledge to drive distraction free via this link and share their pledge on social media tagging @AAAVANews on Twitter or AAA Mid-Atlantic News on Facebook.

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. 

AAA provides automotive, travel, and insurance services to more than 62 million members nationwide and more than one million members in Virginia.  AAA advocates for the safety and mobility of its members and has been committed to outstanding road service for more than 100 years.  AAA is a non-stock, membership corporation working on behalf of motorists, who can map a route, access a COVID travel restriction map, find local gas prices and electric vehicle charging stations, discover discounts, book a hotel, and track their roadside assistance service with the AAA Mobile app (AAA.com/mobile) for iPhone, iPad and Android.  For more information on joining or renewing a Membership, visit www.AAA.com.