If you're planning a road trip for Labor Day weekend, you're in luck. Gas prices should continue to drop during the next three weeks, barring any major catastrophes.
“Right now as it looks, retail gas prices are expected to decrease until the end of the month," Jessica Brady, AAA spokeswoman, told the AJC. "Poor economic news has caused crude oil costs to plummet."
A major storm in the Gulf or turmoil in the Middle East could change the outlook, Brady said. But with the end-of-summer holiday less than three weeks away, drivers shouldn't expect a major increase in gas prices, she said.
Although many people believe gas prices typically rise around a holiday, that's no the case, Brady said. Many economic factors affect gas prices during the summertime, when we're most likely to hit the roads for trips, she said.
In Georgia, we're paying about a dime a gallon less today than we were last week, according to AAA's Fuel Gauge Report.
The average price for a gallon of regular unleaded was $3.54, down 11 cents from last week's $3.65. The national average is $3.59, down from $3.66 last week. Georgia's average of $3.54 is 29 cents a gallon less than the peak average price in 2011, which came on May 1, but still significantly higher than it was at the beginning of the year, when it was $3.03. A year ago, the average price for regular unleaded was $2.62.
The average price for mid-grade is $3.70, down from $3.81 last week; and for premium it's $3.86, down from $3.96.
In metro Atlanta, the average for regular is $3.57. The highest average price in the state is Athens, at $3.61. The lowest average is Augusta, at $3.41.
For the cheapest gas in the Atlanta area, head to Clarkston. Three stations -- all on Brockett Road -- are charging $3.39 for regular unleaded, according to atlantagasprices.com. The most expensive spots were a Chevron station at U.S. 41 and North Marietta Parkway in Cobb; and an Exxon station at Piedmont Avenue and Monroe Drive in Atlanta. Both were charging $3.99.
Driving sensibly and obeying the speed limit can help with your vehicle's gas mileage, according to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.
"You can assume that each 5 mph you drive over 60 mph is like paying an additional $0.29 per gallon for gas," the agency's website states.
Using cruise control and overdrive features also helps conserve fuel, according to experts. Also, make sure the tires are inflated to the proper weight and the routine maintenance is performed, the EPA states.
- Joel Provano contributed to this report.
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