The national average for a gallon of gas fell below $5 today, bringing modest relief at the pump for beleaguered drivers.
The primary cause is the tumbling cost of oil, which fell from $122 to around $110 per barrel due to fears of a global recession and its associated economic slowdown. As a result, the national average for a gallon of gas is $4.96, a nickel less than a week ago.
Virginia’s average is $4.80, which is down six cents from the all-time high record set a week ago today, but up 34 cents from a month ago and up $1.87 from a year ago.
“The recent high prices may have led to a small drop in domestic gasoline demand as fewer drivers fueled up last week,” said Morgan Dean, AAA Mid-Atlantic spokesperson. “This dip, coupled with less costly oil, has taken some steam out of surging pump prices. And this is happening right before drivers gas up for what AAA forecasts will be a busy July 4th travel weekend.”
According to new data from the Energy Information Administration, total domestic gasoline stocks fell by 700,000 bbl to 217.5 million bbl last week. Meanwhile, gasoline demand declined slightly from 9.2 million b/d to 9.09 million b/d.
The slight drop in gas demand has helped to limit pump price increases. However, as crude oil prices remain volatile, the price per gallon for gasoline will likely remain elevated.
Today’s national average of $4.96 is 37 cents more than a month ago, and $1.89 more than a year ago.
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Chris Graham
