Arkansas boasts the second lowest gas prices in the United States, with a regular unleaded gallon of gasoline priced at $3.11. Mississippi holds the top spot, with gas prices slightly lower at $3.06 per gallon, as reported by AAA.
The price has dropped by two cents compared to last week, but remains unchanged from the same period last year.
According to AAA spokesman Andrew Gross, the lower cost is great news for Arkansans who are planning to travel over the Memorial Day weekend. However, he warns that these low prices may not be sustainable for long.
Texarkana residents are shelling out an average of $3.22 per gallon at the pump, making it the most expensive city in the state for gasoline. On the other hand, Hot Springs offers the cheapest gas with a gallon of regular unleaded costing only $3.04.
Other U.S. drivers may not be pleased with the news as the national average for a gallon of gas stands at $3.61. However, California motorists take the biggest hit, paying a staggering $5.15 per gallon, which is over $2 more than what Arkansans pay. Washington state follows closely behind with a cost of $4.58 per gallon.
According to Gross, the summer driving season typically experiences an increase in demand, leading to higher pump prices. However, due to the impact of the pandemic, this trend has not been observed. It will be intriguing to see if this year’s summer driving season breaks this pattern. The recent decision by the Biden Administration to sell the million-barrel Northeast Gasoline Supply Reserve might help prevent any significant price surges in the region. However, it is unlikely to have a substantial impact on the national average.
According to AAA, a staggering 43.8 million Americans are expected to embark on road trips of 50 miles or more away from home during the upcoming weekend. This figure marks the second highest number of travelers recorded since AAA began keeping track in 2005.