Skip to main content

AAA: Gas price decline stalls as Labor Day arrives

AAA reports on gas pricing trends

Travelers at a gas station
Foundry via Pixabay

Yesterday, the American Automobile Association (AAA) announced that while gas prices continue to drop, that’s slowed with the arrival of Labor Day. With the end-of-summer holiday bringing increased road travel, gasoline demand is higher, possibly causing the slowdown. Another factor is an approaching storm system in the Atlantic Ocean. Meanwhile, EV drivers will experience even pricing as L2 commercial electricity remains stable.

Gas and electric pricing ahead of Labor Day

Gas prices from AAA
AAA

As of August 29, a gallon of regular gas was $3.36. That was two cents less than last week, 14 cents lower than last month, and 46 cents less than a year prior. However, the rate of decline has slowed with Labor Day demand, lowered production, and falling gasoline stocks. A potential storm could also play a role. EV drivers can expect pricing to stay the same.

Recommended Videos

Data from the Energy Information Administration (EIA) showed that gasoline demand increased from 9.19 million b/d to 9.30 b/d last week. At the same time, production dropped to 9.6 million barrels daily, and stocks decreased from 220.2 to 218.4 million barrels. 

Andrew Gross, an AAA spokesperson, said: “Since today, 8/29, is my birthday, my wish is that this potential tropical storm fizzles quickly. And the arrival of September means cheaper winter-blend gasoline is almost here, which always helps take pressure off pump prices.”

For those driving electric vehicles, the national kWh average at an L2 commercial charging station is a stable 34 cents. Further, the AAA noted the most (and least) expensive states to fill up the tank or top off the batteries.

The most expensive states for gas are Hawaii ($4.65), California ($4.62), Washington ($4.16), Nevada ($3.96), Oregon ($3.79), Alaska ($3.73), Illinois ($3.70), Washington, D.C. ($3.60), Idaho ($3.59), and Utah ($3.59).

The least expensive gas can be found in Mississippi ($2.88), Oklahoma ($2.94), Texas ($2.94), Tennessee ($2.95), Louisiana ($2.96), Alabama ($2.96), Arkansas ($3.00), South Carolina ($3.01), Missouri ($3.04), and Kansas ($3.05).

The highest EV charging rates (L2 kWh) are in Hawaii (56 cents), West Virginia (45 cents), South Dakota (43 cents), Arkansas (42 cents), Idaho (42 cents), South Carolina (42 cents), Montana (41 cents), Kentucky (41 cents), New Hampshire (41 cents) and Alaska (40 cents).

The lowest L2 charging rate per kWh is in Kansas (22 cents), Missouri (24 cents), Delaware (25 cents), Texas (28 cents), Nebraska (29 cents), Utah (29 cents), Wisconsin (29 cents), Michigan (30 cents), Vermont (30 cents) and North Dakota (30 cents).

Mark Reif
Mark Reif is a writer from Stowe, Vermont. During the winter, he works as a snowboard coach and rides more than 100 days. The…
Packing for a flight? Here’s what’s not allowed in your carry-on bag
Read this before packing your carry-on bag
Open suitcase with clothes packed

When it comes to packing your carry-on bag for a flight, the rules can feel overwhelming. You don’t want to get held up at security, or worse, have something confiscated. Let’s break down what is not allowed on a plane carry-on so you can pack with confidence.
Items not allowed on a plane carry-on

Liquids, gels, and aerosols over 3.4 ounces (100 ml)
Following the TSA’s 3-1-1 rule, each liquid, gel, or aerosol in your carry-on must be in a container no larger than 3.4 ounces and fit into a single quart-sized bag.

Read more
Is travel insurance worth it? The biggest myths debunked
man with suitcase standing outside

When it comes to travel, flight cancellations, lost luggage, medical emergencies, or unpredictable weather can quickly turn an exciting getaway into a stressful ordeal. That’s where travel insurance comes in. But is it really worth spending extra on? Let’s unpack the details so you can decide if travel insurance is the right move for your next trip.
What exactly is travel insurance?

Travel insurance helps cover unexpected expenses that might pop up before or during your trip. Here’s a quick look at what travel insurance typically covers:

Read more
No PreCheck? Try these TSA tips for a faster airport security experience
Don't have PreCheck? Here are some tricks to get through TSA faster when you fly.
TSA Agent

Special programs to get through airport security are fantastic, especially during the busy holiday season. Breezing through those long security lines removes a lot of stress from a day full of flying. Unfortunately, some airports--especially when you're traveling internationally--don't have these options. PreCheck and Clear aside, it’s still possible to simplify your journey through airport security if you're willing to switch up how you plan and prepare for the airport. 

When you really look at the cause of those dreaded TSA lines, the culprit is usually a lack of open lanes, passenger error, or both. Everyone has seen folks forgetting they have things in their pocket, getting pulled to the side for a bag inspection, or worse, marching off to some scary TSA room for a pat down. While we can’t ensure every airport has enough lanes open, we can show you how to get through TSA faster so your travel plans aren’t derailed or delayed. More time to browse duty-free is always nice, right? 
Dress the part

Read more