Kentucky drivers are finally seeing relief at the pump this week.
According to AAA East Central’s Gas Price Report, the average price of regular unleaded in West Central Kentucky has dropped 11 cents, now standing at $2.77 per gallon. That’s down from $2.88 a week ago and more than 30 cents cheaper than the same time last year, when drivers paid an average of $3.09 per gallon.
Across the region, prices vary. Drivers in Owensboro are paying some of the lowest averages at $2.66 per gallon, while Louisville motorists face the highest at $2.95. Bowling Green comes in at $2.81, Elizabethtown at $2.71, and Paducah at $2.71.
Nationally, gas prices have remained steady at $3.13 per gallon, with little movement in recent weeks. AAA notes the trend of lower pump prices continues as the summer driving season winds down.
Today’s national average is three cents less than a month ago and 29 cents lower than a year ago. Analysts caution, however, that peak hurricane season could disrupt production and distribution, potentially influencing future prices.
The Energy Information Administration (EIA) reports that gasoline demand dipped slightly last week, from 9.04 million barrels per day to 9 million. Supplies also slipped, dropping from 227.1 million barrels to 226.3 million. Despite that, gasoline production increased to 9.8 million barrels per day. Meanwhile, U.S. crude oil inventories rose by 3 million barrels, though they remain about 6 percent below the five-year seasonal average.
West Texas Intermediate crude settled at $62.65 per barrel last Wednesday, down 52 cents.
Looking at extremes, the most expensive gas markets in the country are California ($4.49), Hawaii ($4.46), and Washington ($4.40). The cheapest can be found in Mississippi ($2.70), Oklahoma ($2.72), and Tennessee ($2.75).
For electric vehicle owners, public charging costs remained steady at 36 cents per kilowatt hour nationwide. Kentucky is among the most expensive states for charging, averaging 42 cents per kilowatt hour, tied with Alabama and Arkansas. By comparison, drivers in Kansas enjoy the lowest rate in the country at just 25 cents.
