Gas prices across the country and across Virginia continue to drop, with the national average for a gallon of regular unleaded at $3.35 a gallon, and prices in some locales in Virginia nearing the $3-a-gallon mark.
“AAA expects that retail prices will continue to lower in the coming months, as sufficient supplies, flat demand and cheaper winter-blend gasoline mean motorists are likely to pay less to fill their tanks,” said Martha M. Meade, Manager of Public and Government Affairs for AAA Mid-Atlantic.
AAA projects that the national average could fall by as much as 25 additional cents a gallon by Christmas, Meade said.
The current $3.35-a-gallon national average is down 21 cents from a month ago and 46 cents from this time last year.
Prices at the pump are tumbling despite crude oil remaining steady above $100 a barrel for more than three months. At Friday’s close, crude oil was at $102.02 per barrel, down 2 percent for the week, but still nearly $10-a-barrel higher than where it was a year ago.
CURRENT AND PAST GAS PRICE AVERAGES
Regular Unleaded Gasoline (*indicates record high)
10/13/13 |
Week Ago |
Year Ago |
|
National |
$3.34 |
$3.35 |
$3.80 |
Virginia |
$3.15 |
$3.14 |
$3.60 |
Charlottesville |
$3.07 |
$3.06 |
$3.56 |
Norfolk Area |
$3.17 |
$3.15 |
$3.55 |
Richmond |
$3.12 |
$3.09 |
$3.55 |
Roanoke |
$3.06 |
$3.07 |
$3.57 |
Crude Oil |
$102.02 per barrel (at Friday’s close) |
$103.84 per barrel (10/4/13) |
$92.07 per barrel (10/11/12)
|