National Gas Price Exceeds Year Ago Average for First Time in 340 Days; Wisconsin +6 cents at $2.47
MADISON, Wis., (February 8, 2021) – At $2.46, the national gas price average is more expensive on the week (+4 cents), the month (+16 cents) and the year (+2 cents). This past Saturday, February 6, was the first time in 340 days the national average was more expensive than a year ago. Today, nearly two-thirds of all state gas price averages are more expensive year-over-year. Pump prices continue to climb, in part due to expensive crude oil and the market’s growing optimism that demand will increase amid the vaccination roll-out.
Up to $56/bbl, crude oil increased last week following Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries’ (OPEC) decision to keep their production cuts unchanged—a decision influenced by the ongoing impact of the pandemic on gasoline demand. Crude has not been priced this high since January 2020. Typically, it can take a few weeks before pump prices see the impact of more expensive crude, and with crude accounting for more than 50% of the retail price, increases are no doubt going to continue.
“Consumers can expect to continue paying more to fill up this month, potentially up to 10 cents more a gallon, depending on how high crude goes,” said Nick Jarmusz, director of public affairs at AAA, — The Auto Club Group. “If demand grows, that will further fuel pump price increases.”
On the week, 46 state gas price averages are more expensive with 13 states seeing a nickel or more increase. Motorists in Florida (+11 cents), Michigan (+11 cents) and West Virginia (+10 cents) saw the largest weekly increases.
Monday |
Sunday |
Week Ago |
Month Ago |
One Year Ago |
|
National |
$2.466 | $2.464 | $2.423 | $2.302 | $2.440 |
Wisconsin |
$2.323 | $2.325 | $2.528 | $2.147 | $2.314 |
Appleton |
$2.228 | $2.231 | $2.186 | $2.075 | $2.270 |
Eau Claire |
$2.409 | $2.410 | $2.365 | $2.189 | $2.360 |
Green Bay |
$2.273 | $2.268 | $2.211 | $2.126 | $2.286 |
Janesville-Beloit |
$2.319 | $2.332 | $2.229 | $2.138 | $2.229 |
La Crosse |
$2.383 | $2.384 | $2.326 | $2.251 | $2.384 |
Madison |
$2.301 | $2.308 | $2.227 | $2.150 | $2.282 |
Milwaukee |
$2.326 | $2.326 | $2.232 | $2.111 | $2.237 |
Wausau |
$2.285 | $2.290 | $2.271 | $2.144 | $2.343 |
Click here to view current gasoline price averages
Oil Market Dynamics
At the close of Friday’s formal trading session, WTI increased by 62 cents to settle at $56.85. Crude prices rose last week after OPEC and its production reduction agreement partners met to review compliance with their agreement to collectively reduce crude production by 7.2 million b/d. The group decided to hold the cuts steady and expects output to remain low this year since demand is forecasted to be lower than expected in 2021, due to ongoing crude demand concerns as the pandemic continues. Crude prices were also bolstered by the Energy Information Administration’s (EIA) latest report showing that total domestic crude inventories dropped by 1 million bbl to 475.7 million bbl. For this week, crude prices may continue to climb if the next weekly EIA report shows another reduction in total domestic crude inventories.
Gas Price Survey Methodology
AAA updates fuel price averages daily at www.GasPrices.AAA.com. Every day up to 130,000 stations are surveyed based on credit card swipes and direct feeds in cooperation with the Oil Price Information Service (OPIS) and Wright Express for unmatched statistical reliability. All average retail prices in this report are for a gallon of regular, unleaded gasoline.
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About AAA – The Auto Club Group
The Auto Club Group (ACG) is the second largest AAA club in North America with more than 14 million members across 14 U.S. states, the province of Quebec and two U.S. territories. ACG and its affiliates provide members with roadside assistance, insurance products, banking and financial services, travel offerings and more. ACG belongs to the national AAA federation with more than 60 million members in the United States and Canada. AAA’s mission is to protect and advance freedom of mobility and improve traffic safety. For more information, get the AAA Mobile app, visit AAA.com, and follow us on Facebook, Twitter and LinkedIn.
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