Gas prices are on a steep slide after reaching 3-year highs due to Hurricanes Harvey and Irma. However, that has not happened in the 'Boro. As of Monday morning, many local discounters started the week at $2.44 per gallon. That's one-cent off the 61-cent increase that swooshed-in when the hurricanes hit.
Prices surged when Harvey struck refineries along the nation's gulf coast. Then remained elevated as demand spiked in the southeastern U.S. following Hurricane Irma. Now supply and demand levels are returning to normal, and prices are on the decline.
"If it weren't for the recent hurricanes, gas prices would be about 25 cents lower," said Mark Jenkins, spokesman, AAA - The Auto Club Group. "Since gas prices decline much slower than they rise, it could take a few weeks before they reach equilibrium. Gas prices in the southeastern U.S. should drop another 5-10 cents this week."
The average price in Tennessee has declined for the last 14 consecutive days, for a total discount of 8 cents, since peaking at $2.60 on September 10. Tennessee gas prices averaged $2.52 on Sunday. The state average is 5 cents less than this time last week. Tennessee motorists are paying 35 cents more for a gallon of gasoline, compared to this time last year.
- The most expensive gas price averages in Tennessee are in Nashville ($2.59), Johnson City-Kingsport-Bristol ($2.53), Clarksville-Hopkinsville ($2.53), and Chattanooga ($2.52)
- The least expensive gas price averages in Tennessee are in Memphis ($2.43), Knoxville ($2.50), and Chattanooga ($2.51)
CURRENT AND PAST PRICE AVERAGES
 |
Sunday | Saturday | Week Ago | Month Ago | One Year Ago | Highest Price on Record |
| National | $2.576 | $2.581 | $2.627 | $2.348 | $2.211 | $4.114 (7/17/2008) |
| Florida | $2.670 | $2.675 | $2.714 | $2.304 | $2.148 | $4.079 (7/17/2008) |
| Georgia | $2.671 | $2.677 | $2.720 | $2.222 | $2.356 | $4.164 (9/15/2008) |
| Tennessee | $2.515 | $2.518 | $2.565 | $2.138 | $2.163 | $4.118 (9/15/2008) |
