Gasoline prices in most of the country are either the same or less expensive than last week, according to AAA, with the national average at $2.65 a gallon.
This is nine cents more expensive than September, but 26 cents lower than a year ago.
In the majority of the country, prices fell by as much as 5 cents since last week. The exception was California, where prices rose 16 cents on the week, averaging $4.18 a gallon.
Nationwide, 77 percent of gas stations are selling regular unleaded gasoline for $2.75 or less, while 51 percent of stations are selling it for $2.50 or less.
“All regions are seeing planned and unplanned refinery maintenance, but it is only the West Coast that is really seeing gasoline stocks tighten and gas prices increase,” Jeanette Casselano, AAA spokesperson, said. “On the whole, we are seeing gasoline demand mostly push lower amid stable, but healthy gasoline stock levels which are ultimately keeping prices cheaper for most motorists.”
Barring additional outages, refineries should resume production capacity, and gasoline prices on the West Coast should stabilize by the end of the week.
The nation’s least expensive state is Louisiana at $2.27 a gallon followed by South Carolina, $2.28, Mississippi, $2.28, and Texas, $2.31.