MURFREESBORO, TN — Nothing screams “almost there” like landing second place in the national race for cheapest gas. Tennessee is proudly polishing its silver medal this week, boasting an average of $2.72 per gallon for regular unleaded. Number one? That honor belongs to Mississippi, which edged us out with a jaw-dropping $2.66 per gallon. Louisiana barely missed the silver at $2.724, just three-tenths of a cent behind Tennessee. So close, yet so economically indifferent.

But before you start revving your engine in celebration, let’s zoom in on Rutherford County — where the gas isn’t quite medal-worthy. Despite our hopes and dreams, Murfreesboro, Smyrna, and LaVergne are clocking in at an average of $2.65 per gallon. Yes, that’s lower than the state average, but apparently not enough to impress the folks compiling the top 5% cheapest gas list.

Venture just a few miles south to Bedford County and you’ll find gas at a sweet $2.61. North in Mt. Juliet? $2.66. And then there’s the west — Brentwood and Franklin, where people fill their tanks with liquid gold at $3.23 per gallon. For that price, Rutherford County drivers could practically spring for premium.

Speaking of premium, Tennessee ranks sixth nationwide at $3.56 per gallon. Meanwhile, West Coast drivers are living the high life with $5.29 average prices in California, followed by Hawaii at $4.96 and Washington at $4.82. It’s not a competition, but if it were, we’d probably still be somewhere in the middle of the pack, waving from the sidelines.

If you’ve got a diesel engine, Texas is where it’s at — $3.09 per gallon and a cowboy hat full of savings. Tennessee’s diesel average is $3.25, placing us at a respectable number 10. Which, let’s be honest, is basically first place for anyone who isn’t Texas.

Looking back over the past decade, Tennessee has done a decent job of keeping gas prices relatively low — from $1.62 in 2020 (the golden era) to the cringe-worthy $4.29 in 2022. So sure, maybe we’re not number one today, but hey — we’re not California either.

So, fill up, pat yourself on the back, and tell your wallet it could be worse. At least we still have Waffle House and sweet tea. So, between now and the time you head out for breakfast — or decide that coffee counts as lunch — WGNS invites you to scroll down and take a nostalgic cruise through the past decade of gas prices. Here's a look at the 10-year average per-gallon gas prices for regular unleaded in Tennessee, side-by-side with the U.S. national average, all recorded on May 19th of each year (From GasBuddy.com).

Whether gas was under two bucks or peeking over four, this table is proof that gas prices—much like your morning coffee—are never quite the same from one year to the next. On this Monday, top off your tank (and your toast), and remember: it could always be 2022 again.