RUTHERFORD COUNTY, TN — If you’ve filled up your tank lately and didn’t audibly gasp, you’re not alone. Gas prices in Tennessee are currently holding steady at an average of $2.82 per gallon, making us all feel just slightly less broke. In Rutherford County, drivers are enjoying a sweet spot at $2.79 per gallon for regular unleaded — or what experts call “better than crying in California.”
To the south, Shelbyville is boasting $2.73 per gallon, possibly because cows are fueling the trucks now. Meanwhile, Lebanon and Mt. Juliet are tied at $2.74, apparently fueled by dreams and slightly cheaper corn dogs. Cannon County, however, is going rogue with a whopping $2.98 per gallon — basically charging more because it’s scenic.
Up in Manchester, regular unleaded is sitting at $2.80, probably because everyone’s still recovering from Bonnaroo and forgot to check the pumps.
But the real shocker? Williamson County is playing fancy with gas at $3.14 per gallon, just to remind us they have Whole Foods. To put that in perspective, their gas is only 13 cents shy of Tennessee’s average mid-grade price, and 53 cents cheaper than premium, which only celebrities and folks driving leased BMWs use.
As for diesel? That magical trucker juice is currently $3.45 per gallon, which is actually 10 cents cheaper than this time last year. A small win for anyone whose vehicle sounds like a jet engine at idle.
So what does it all mean? Well, it means you might finally stop blaming gas prices for skipping the gym, or avoiding that one friend who lives 45 minutes away. (No? Still gonna blame the gas? Fair.)
For now, enjoy the relief at the pump Rutherford Countians — and maybe even splurge on the good snacks inside the gas station, like name-brand gummy worms or fountain drinks that aren’t mostly ice.
NATIONWIDE GAS PRICES: Meanwhile, on the West Coast, gas prices are doing their best impersonation of a luxury hotel minibar. Californians are now taking out small loans, selling NFTs, or crowdfunding just to fill up their smart cars. With regular unleaded averaging $4.62 per gallon, you might as well be pouring vintage wine into the tank.
If you drive a luxury vehicle in California — first of all, congrats on surviving the economy — you’re paying $5.03 per gallon for premium, which comes with a free side of buyer’s remorse. And for the diesel folks? Brace yourself: it’s $5.13 per gallon, which means it’s time to start asking your truck if it’s emotionally ready to become a Prius.
Meanwhile, over in Hawaii, where everything is already expensive, diesel has reached a sunburn-inducing $5.25 per gallon — making it officially cheaper to ship your car to Mississippi, fill up, and ship it back.
Speaking of Mississippi, they're currently living the gas price dream at $2.73 per gallon, topping the charts as the cheapest place in the country to fuel up. You know things are wild when Mississippi is winning something besides catfish festivals and SEC tailgates.
Oklahoma slid into second place at $2.81 per gallon, and Tennessee takes the bronze at $2.82, which is close enough to Mississippi to pretend we’re winning too.
As for diesel drivers, the Lone Star State is leading the pack with $3.25 per gallon, proving once again that everything’s bigger in Texas — except apparently diesel prices. Mississippi and Oklahoma trail just behind, probably high-fiving each other over brisket and bargain diesel.
Tennessee? We're holding our own at #12 on the diesel chart, which, while not podium-worthy, still beats paying $5.25 and pretending it's "for the vibes."