Gas prices down for the month, but higher than last Thanksgiving

By Mike Morris

The Atlanta Journal-Constitution

Metro Atlantans began the holiday travel week paying nearly 20 cents less than the national average for a gallon of gasoline, but considerably more than last Thanksgiving, according a a Web site that tracks gas prices.

That Web site, www.atlantagasprices.com, reported that the average price for a gallon of regular unleaded was $2.46 in metro Atlanta early Monday, compared to the national average of $2.65.

Several warehouse clubs around town were selling gas Monday for just under $2.30 a gallon.

Statewide, the average price is about $2.47 a gallon. The Web site reported prices about the same in South Carolina, Tennessee and Alabama, but about a dime a gallon more in North Carolina and 19 cents more in Florida.

A month ago, Atlantans were paying an average of $2.53 a gallon, the Web site said.

One year ago, Atlanta's average price was $1.75, as the cost of a gallon of gas plunged from a summer high of $4.13 a gallon toward an average that bottomed out at $1.45 in early January 2009.

Gas prices climbed back above the $2 mark in May and have remained there since.