Gas prices are continuing to drop slightly in Georgia, but don't get used to falling prices. Experts say prices will stay relatively unchanged and then start to edge back up.
The average price of regular unleaded gas in Georgia is $3.24, down 3 cents from last week. The national average price is $3.39, also 3 cents less; Florida’s average price of $3.35 fell 4 cents, and Tennessee’s average price of $3.20 is 2 cents lower than last week, according to AAA Club South.
"Retail gas prices fell for the past month as the price of oil continued to drop. Although oil prices increased last week, consumers will not likely see pump prices rise, but instead remain relatively unchanged from last week's averages," said Jessica Brady, spokeswoman for AAA. "The positive economic news released last week will likely serve as a band-aid to temporarily ease investor concerns about the economy."
That positive economic news includes European leaders' promise over the weekend to resolve their debt crisis; a U.S. Labor Department report that shows employers added 103,000 jobs in September, a modest improvement from the forecast of 57,000 jobs; and U.S. oil supplies decreased more than projected last week and fell about 4 million barrels.
That positive economic news will eventually translate into higher gas prices at the pump, said Patrick DeHaan, a senior analyst with GasBuddy.com.
"In the next two weeks we expect to see gas prices trickle up," he said. "After oil prices briefly dropped to $75 a barrel in the last two weeks, we've seen a mini-rally take place, driving prices up to a more recent mark of $82 a barrel."
Motorists can find the cheaper gas prices at stations throughout metro Atlanta; for example, $3.05 at Sunoco at 2650 North Cobb Parkway in Kennesaw; $3.05 at Costco at 1700 Mount Zion Road in Morrow; and $3.06 at a QuikTrip at 3888 cobb Parkway in Acworth, according to atlantagasprices.com, a website that tracks local fuel prices.
About the Author
