Average state gas prices at all-time high
By Staff
Jonathan Willis
Gas prices have hit an all-time high average in the state of Alabama every day for the past week, and things are not looking much better for the foreseeable future.
According to the American Automobile Association's website, gas prices in the area averaged $3.07 a gallon for regular gas on Thursday.
That is up from $2.29 a gallon from the same time last year.
"We are at an all-time high," Clay Ingram, a spokesman for the American Automobile Association, said.
"We have been setting a new record every day for a week.
AAA conducts daily gas price surveys across the country and Ingram said the numbers are staggering, especially for the time of year it is.
Ingram said January and February are typically months in which gas prices are at their cheapest.
"Demand for gas usually tapers off in January and February so the prices drop," he said.
"They usually start working back up in March when travel and demand increases and peaks out about Memorial Day."
According to AAA statistics, the state average at this time last year was $2.05. By Memorial Day, when prices usually peak, gas was up to $3.08 a gallon. That is already the average in Franklin County.
"I don't know what we will do if it keeps going up," said Jackie Ferguson, as he filled his truck's tank at a Russellville gas station Thursday morning.
"It will end up being $4 a gallon before long."
While that is a possibility, Ingram said he believes it is only a small chance that will happen.
"I would be very surprised if we hit $4 a gallon," Ingram said. "When we start hitting $3 a gallon people usually step back and say, 'oh, it's time to do something.'
"When people start cutting back, the demand drops and the prices decrease."
Gas has gone up because crude oil prices, which are very volatile, surged from the $80-90 per barrel range to more than $100 per barrel.
Ingram said that factors around the world make gas prices fluctuate and there is always a possibility that something could change and prices could drop some.
"But, I don't think we will see it drop that much anytime soon," he said.
