The national average price for a gallon of regular gas fell to $4.108 on Friday, marking the third consecutive week of decreases, according to the American Automobile Association (AAA). This trend began after the Memorial Day weekend, which typically signals the start of the summer driving season. The ongoing military conflict between the U.S. and Iran has contributed to significant price fluctuations since March.
In the past three weeks, consumers have benefited from these price declines. Prior to this period, gas prices had been rising, reaching a record high of $4.564 on May 21. Friday's price was slightly lower than Thursday's average of $4.1290 per gallon, and down from $4.22 a week ago. A month ago, the average price was $4.504.
GasBuddy price analyst Patrick De Haan noted that gas prices this summer could potentially fall below $4 or rise above $5, reflecting the uncertainty surrounding the market. In January, the national average price dropped to $2.79, the lowest in over five years, but began to rise again due to winter weather and the initiation of Operation Epic Fury on February 28.
De Haan emphasized that the current gas market is characterized by uncertainty, but the volatility of recent weeks may help stabilize prices moving forward. He stated that the market has become accustomed to recent fluctuations, which may lead to a more measured response to new developments.
Regionally, gas prices vary significantly across the country. Indiana currently has the lowest average gas price at $3.378 per gallon, followed by Texas at $3.563, Oklahoma at $3.603, and Tennessee at $3.661. In contrast, California has the highest average price at $5.786 per gallon, followed by Hawaii at $5.58 and Washington at $5.545.