RUTHERFORD COUNTY, TN - Tennessee drivers may want to take a moment to appreciate the rarest of modern miracles: gas prices that moved around just enough last week to look busy, only to land almost exactly where they started. After a brief flirtation with higher prices, pump costs slid back down over the weekend, leaving the statewide average a whopping one penny more than last week.

As of Monday afternoon, Tennessee’s average price for a gallon of regular unleaded sits at $2.57 — which, in today’s economy, qualifies as a small holiday miracle. That price is 12 cents cheaper than one month ago and six cents lower than this time last year. According to AAA, Tennesseans are currently enjoying the cheapest gas prices the state has seen in four years, a statement that feels almost unbelievable but is, apparently, true.

Rutherford County Gas Prices: Here in Rutherford County, drivers are paying an average of $2.56 per gallon, which places Murfreesboro squarely in the “doing just fine” category. Prices in the Murfreesboro, Smyrna, and La Vergne area are two cents higher than Bedford County to the south, but one cent cheaper than Wilson County to the north. To the west, however, Nashville drivers are funding a slightly more expensive lifestyle, paying around $2.67 per gallon — at least 11 cents more than their Rutherford County neighbors. Coffee County motorists are hovering at $2.58, Marshall County is at $2.59, and Cannon County drivers are paying closer to $2.64 per gallon.

Highest Priced Gas in Tennessee: And then there’s Williamson County, which continues to defend its long-running title as Tennessee’s undisputed champion of expensive gas. Drivers in Brentwood and Franklin are paying an average of $3.01 per gallon — roughly 45 cents more than Rutherford County. That distinction has apparently been held for 24 consecutive months, outpricing all 94 other counties in the state. When it comes to premium prices, Williamson County is nothing if not consistent.

Driving Home for the Holidays: AAA spokeswoman Megan Cooper says drivers shouldn’t expect much drama at the pump as the holidays approach. While prices could wiggle a little — because gas prices always like to keep us guessing — they’re expected to stay low through Christmas and into the end of the year. For anyone planning a holiday road trip, that’s about as close to a stocking stuffer as the fuel market gets.

Looking ahead to Christmas, gas prices are shaping up to be another rare bright spot. Monday’s statewide average is 12 cents cheaper than what drivers paid on Christmas Day 2024. If prices stay below $2.69, Tennesseans will see the cheapest Christmas gas since 2020, when the average dipped to a nostalgic $2.03 per gallon.

National Price of Fuel: Nationally, drivers are also catching a break. The U.S. average has dropped five cents over the past week to $2.90 per gallon and has remained below $3 since early December. That’s good news for the record number of Americans expected to hit the road for the holidays — especially compared to last year’s $3.04 average.

Mid-Grade and Premium in Tennessee: Mid-grade gas in Tennessee is averaging $3.02 per gallon, while premium fuel remains parked at $3.41. Diesel drivers aren’t getting quite the same gift, with prices averaging $3.37 per gallon, slightly down from last week but higher than this time last year.

On the oil market side, West Texas Intermediate crude rose modestly to $58.46 per barrel, while U.S. crude inventories dipped slightly, remaining below the five-year average. In other words, the markets are doing their thing — and for once, drivers aren’t paying the price.

Cheapest in the United States: Oklahoma is proudly standing on the top step of the podium this week, claiming first place for the cheapest average price on regular unleaded gas. In the Sooner State, drivers are filling up for a modest $2.29 per gallon — clearly the overachiever of the group. Sliding into second place is Colorado at $2.45 per gallon, followed closely by Iowa in third at $2.46. Tennessee, meanwhile, is hanging out comfortably at $2.57 per gallon, good enough for 12th place nationwide on the list of states with the cheapest gas. Not gold, not silver, but still very much in the “not complaining” category.

Most Expensive in the United States: On the opposite end of the price spectrum, the usual suspects are doing what they do best. Hawaii leads the nation in premium-priced pain at $4.43 per gallon, with California close behind at $4.37. Washington State rounds out the top three, where drivers are paying an average of $4.01 per gallon. Alaska earns an honorable mention in fourth place at $3.62 — proving that even “not the most expensive” can still hurt.

Diesel Prices: Diesel drivers will be thrilled to know that Oklahoma is apparently good at everything fuel-related, also taking first place for the cheapest diesel prices in the country at $3.09 per gallon. Texas comes in second at $3.11, followed by Colorado at $3.16. Tennessee makes a respectable showing again, ranking 11th nationwide with an average diesel price of $3.37 per gallon — just missing the top ten, but clearly still trying.

Highest Priced Diesel: And yes, diesel misery mirrors gasoline misery at the top. Hawaii, California, and Washington State once again dominate the leaderboard for the most expensive diesel prices. The Aloha State tops the list at a staggering $5.17 per gallon, California follows at $4.99, and Washington checks in at $4.80. In short, paradise has its price — and it’s paid at the pump.

Tennessee Regional Prices (AAA)

• Most expensive metro markets - Nashville ($2.64), Jackson ($2.61), Cleveland ($2.59) 
• Least expensive metro markets - Clarksville ($2.42), Morristown ($2.47), Chattanooga ($2.47)