September 2024 Fuel Price Update: National Average Declines for Sixth Week

Gas prices continue to fall for the sixth straight week, with most regions across the country experiencing the decline. According to U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) data, the national price for a gallon of gas has dipped to $3.23, which is 5 cents less than last week.

The national average is down 18 cents from a month ago and is about 58 cents per gallon lower than a year ago, according to EIA data. 

"Gas prices have dropped to their lowest since [last] winter," GasBuddy Head of Petroleum Analysis Patrick De Haan said.

Gas prices will continue to drop as Americans drive less with the onset of fall, De Haan continued. The national average could fall below $3 per gallon as early as October for the first time since 2021.

Diesel prices are the lowest they've been since early 2022. Check out Work Truck to see which region has the lowest prices.

U.S. Regional Gasoline Prices as of September 9, 2024

Here's a look at prices by region according to EIA data, as of Sept. 9:

• East Coast: $3.14
• Midwest: $3.09
• Gulf Coast: $2.80
• Rocky Mountain: $3.35
• West Coast: $4.10

Over the last week, prices in the West Coast region saw a minor increase, which did not affect the overall average. The East Coast region saw the greatest decrease week-over-week, with prices decreasing by 8 cents.

Here's a list of the 10 lowest average prices per gallon, according to AAA data as of Sept. 9:

Rank	State	Regular
1	Mississippi	$2.77
2	Tennessee	$2.80
3	Oklahoma	$2.80
4	Texas	$2.83
5	Alabama	$2.84
6	South Carolina	$2.84
7	Louisiana	$2.86
8	Arkansas	$2.90
9	Kentucky	$2.91
10	Missouri	$2.93

Mississippi maintains the cheapest price for a gallon of gas. AAA records indicate that prices in 11 states fall under $3 per gallon, with the potential of the national average following suit in the coming weeks.

U.S. Regional Gasoline Prices as of September 2, 2024

To start off September, prices at the pump are down in multiple regions for the fifth straight week. The national average price of gasoline dropped about 3 cents in the last week to $3.28, according to U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) data. Prices year-over-year are down 51 cents.

The decline is a byproduct of seasonal trends as we transition from summer to fall, according to De Haan. A continued drop could also be due to the changeover to cheaper winter gasoline only two weeks away.

"As long as we don't see a major hurricane head into the Gulf and the situation improves in the Middle East, the national average could fall below $3 in the next two months," De Haan said.

Diesel prices fell again this week but may rise with winter growing closer. Check out Work Truck to see which region has the lowest prices.

Here's a look at prices by region according to EIA data, as of Sept. 2:

• East Coast: $3.23
• Midwest: $3.17
• Gulf Coast: $2.84
• Rocky Mountain: $3.40
• West Coast: $4.10

Over the last week, prices rose in the Rocky Mountain and West Coast regions. The Gulf Coast saw the greatest drop in prices, dipping 5 cents.

Here's a list of the 10 lowest average prices per gallon, according to AAA data as of Sept. 2:

Rank	State	Regular
1	Mississippi	$2.84
2	Oklahoma	$2.89
3	Tennessee	$2.89
4	Texas	$2.90
5	Alabama	$2.91
6	Louisiana	$2.92
7	South Carolina	$2.94
8	Arkansas	$2.96
9	Missouri	$2.99
10	Kansas	$3.02

Mississippi maintains the cheapest price for a gallon of gas. The gap between states falling under $3 per gallon continues to close, with a 3-cent difference between Missouri ($2.99) and Kansas ($3.02).