RUTHERFORD COUNTY, TN - Gas prices across Tennessee decided to stretch their legs a little this week, inching up by an average of two cents, according to AAA. The Tennessee gas price average now sits at $2.75 per gallon, which — depending on how you look at it — is 10 cents cheaper than last month, but still three cents higher than this time last year.

“Tennessee gas prices fluctuated higher over last week, but shifted lower over the weekend,” said Megan Cooper, spokeswoman for AAA – The Auto Club Group. "Barring any major changes in the overall market, gas prices should stay in a familiar range in the short term, which is good news for those planning a fall break road trip."

LOCAL GAS: Here in Rutherford County, drivers are paying around $2.70 per gallon for regular unleaded, landing the county comfortably at #31 on Tennessee’s gas price list. For comparison, #1 is the cheapest, and #95 is the priciest.

Meanwhile, Henry County continues to defend its title as the state’s cheapest place to fill up — at $2.51 per gallon — giving its 32,000 residents a little extra giddy in their giddy-up. The Paris, Tennessee version of Paris, France, also has its own Eiffel Tower, although theirs stands just 70 feet tall compared to the 1,083-foot original. Still, at least the gas prices there are worth bragging about.

On the flip side, Williamson County is once again leading the pack in the “most expensive fuel” category — because some traditions never die. With regular unleaded averaging $3.08 per gallon around Franklin and Brentwood, Williamson County stays parked firmly at #95, making it the least appealing place in Tennessee to top off your tank.

Out of all 50 states, Tennessee ranks sixth for having some of the cheapest gas prices in the nation. Oklahoma takes the top spot, with an average of $2.58 per gallon — about 17 cents less than what drivers are paying here in the Volunteer State.

National Gas Prices - Stability is the name of the game to start October with the national average for a gallon of regular the same as it was one week ago at $3.13. Tis the season for lower gas prices as demand drops and gas stations make the switch to winter-blend gasoline which is cheaper to produce. Crude oil supply remains robust as OPEC+ – a group of oil-producing countries – is likely to announce in the coming days another production increase in November. That surplus coupled with weaker demand is keeping pump prices down, even as some U.S. refineries are expected to go offline this month for seasonal maintenance. 

According to new data from the Energy Information Administration (EIA), gasoline demand decreased from 8.95 million b/d last week to 8.51 million. Total domestic gasoline supply increased from 216.6 million barrels to 220.7 million. Gasoline production decreased last week, averaging 9.3 million barrels per day. 

National Oil Market Dynamics - At the close of Wednesday’s formal trading session, WTI fell 59 cents to settle at $61.78 a barrel. The EIA reports crude oil inventories increased by 1.8 million barrels from the previous week. At 416.5 million barrels, U.S. crude oil inventories are about 4% below the five-year average for this time of year. 

Tennessee Regional Prices 

• Most expensive metro markets - Jackson ($2.81), Nashville ($2.79), Memphis ($2.78) 

• Least expensive metro markets - Clarksville ($2.66), Kingsport ($2.69), Morristown ($2.69) 

DIESEL PRICES: Diesel prices in Tennessee are currently averaging $3.39 per gallon. Prices today are similar to the prices at the diesel pump around this same time last year, when the price was at $3.33 per gallon.