Nashville, TN – For the first time since October 2014 the Tennessee gas price average rose above $3.00 per gallon. Over last week, Tennessee gas prices jumped nearly 12 cents to the most expensive gas price average so far this year.
The Tennessee Gas Price average is now $3.01 which is nearly 12 cents more expensive than one month ago and $1.07 more than one year ago.
“The key driver for this recent rise in the price of gas is crude oil, which typically accounts for between 50% and 60% of the price at the pump,” said Megan Cooper, spokeswoman, AAA – The Auto Club Group. “And last week’s decision by OPEC and its oil-producing allies to not increase production further only exacerbated the upward momentum for crude oil prices.”
Quick Facts
- 67% of Tennessee gas stations have prices below $3.00
- The lowest 10% of pump prices are $2.85 for regular unleaded
- The highest 10% of pump prices are $3.24 for regular unleaded
- Tennessee moved to the 9th least expensive market in nation
National Gas Prices
The national average price for a gallon of gas rose 8 cents on the week to reach $3.27. This is the highest price since October 2014 and is primarily due to the surging price of crude oil, which crept above $80.00 bbl before edging slightly lower.
Crude prices rose quickly following OPEC+, which comprises the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC), Russia, and their allies, choosing not to move forward with an agreement to produce 800,000 b/d in November. Instead, OPEC+ decided to maintain a previously agreed upon 400,000 b/d production increase.
According to new EIA data, total domestic gasoline stocks increased by 3.3 million bbl to 225.1 million bbl last week. Gasoline demand also increased slightly from 9.40 million b/d to 9.44 million b/d—the slight increase in gas demand aided in the national average’s rise. However, the main culprit for rising pump prices remains high crude prices above $74 per barrel.
The spill took place on October 1st. The pipeline serves various metropolitan areas, including Birmingham, Alabama; Atlanta, Georgia; Charlotte, North Carolina; and Washington, D.C.
Today’s national average of $3.27 is 10 cents more than a month ago, $1.09 more than a year ago, and 63 cents more than pre-pandemic in 2019.
National Oil Market Dynamics
At the close of Friday’s formal trading session, WTI increased by $1.05 to settle at $79.35. Alongside the actions of OPEC+ last week, prices increased after the U.S. Department of Energy dispelled speculation that the Joe Biden Administration would ban crude exports or sell crude oil held in the U.S. Strategic Petroleum Reserve.
The sale could have put more crude into the domestic market, but it is unlikely to have had a sustained downward impact on oil prices. Prices have increased last week despite EIA’s latest report showing that total domestic crude inventories increased by 2.4 million bbl to 420.9 million bbl last week. For this week, crude prices could continue to climb if supply tightens.
Motorists can find current gas prices along their route with the free AAA Mobile app for iPhone, iPad and Android. The app can also be used to map a route, find discounts, book a hotel and access AAA roadside assistance. Learn more at AAA.com/mobile.
Tennessee Regional Prices
- Most expensive metro markets – Morristown ($3.07), Knoxville ($3.06), Johnson City ($3.05)
- Least expensive metro markets – Chattanooga ($2.97), Clarksville ($2.98), Cleveland ($2.99)
Tennessee Gas Price Averages
(Price per gallon of regular unleaded gasoline)
 |
Monday |
Sunday |
Week Ago |
Month Ago |
One Year Ago |
|
Tennessee |
$3.013 |
$3.011 |
$2.898 |
$2.896 |
$1.942 |
|
Chattanooga |
$2.965 |
$2.965 |
$2.813 |
$2.827 |
$1.866 |
|
Knoxville |
$3.058 |
$3.051 |
$2.930 |
$2.863 |
$1.907 |
|
Memphis |
$3.019 |
$3.013 |
$2.941 |
$2.931 |
$1.970 |
|
Nashville |
$3.020 |
$3.019 |
$2.915 |
$2.951 |
$1.972 |
|
Click here to view current gasoline price averages |
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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 62 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.
