AAA: Georgia Gas Prices Rise 5 Cents; Additional Hikes Imminent

Staff Report From Georgia CEO

Tuesday, February 19th, 2019

Gas prices in Georgia are on the rise and prices could get even more expensive this week. Oil and wholesale gasoline prices surged to their highest levels since November. The state average could soon jump another 10 cents as a result. 

Georgia gas prices are already at 2019-highs. The state average rose a total of 5 cents last week. Still, Sunday's average price of $2.19 per gallon remains nearly 20 cents below what drivers paid this time last year.

  • Most expensive gas price averages: Atlanta ($2.22), Brunswick ($2.21), Hinesville-Fort Stewart ($2.20)

  • Least expensive gas price averages: Warner Robins ($2.07), Macon ($2.11), Augusta-Aiken ($2.12)

"Oil and wholesale gasoline prices made significant gains last week, which will likely lead to higher prices at the pump," said Mark Jenkins, spokesman, AAA - The Auto Club Group. "Prices rose after news that OPEC is making good on its promise to cut production, and reports of refinery issues at multiple plants in the northeast. One of the other key reasons for rising prices right now is refineries entering maintenance season. This is a time of year when refineries do 'spring cleaning' and to prepare for the switch to summer-blend gasoline. The process causes refineries to temporarily go offline, reducing the output of gasoline into the market."

On Friday, crude oil reached it's highest price since mid-November. The closing price of WTI was $55.59 per barrel on the NYMEX - an increase of nearly $3/b compared to the week before. That increase alone has the potential to carry a 7.5 cent jump at the pump. However, oil prices remain about $6/b less than the price this time last year; a primary reason that gas prices remain lower than last year. Meanwhile, RBOB rose 13 cents on the NYMEX last week, also reaching a 3-month high.