The average cost of a gallon of regular unleaded gasoline in Arkansas dropped by 8 cents to $3.80 this week, according to AAA’s Arkansas Weekend Gas Watch released on Thursday.
Although prices have eased, the statewide average remains $1.18 higher compared to the same time last year.
Among the state’s major metropolitan areas, drivers in Fort Smith are paying the most, with an average of $3.88 per gallon, while those in Hot Springs are seeing the lowest prices, averaging $3.57. In Jonesboro, the average price is $3.79 per gallon.
On the national level, the average gas price declined by 5 cents over the past week, settling at $4.22 per gallon. The highest average prices are found in California at $5.94 per gallon, while drivers in North Carolina are paying the lowest at an average of $3.42 per gallon.
AAA noted that elevated crude oil prices, which remain above $100 per barrel, are limiting significant price reductions at the pump. On Wednesday, West Texas Intermediate crude closed trading at $102.78 per barrel, an increase of $2.88.
Additionally, U.S. crude oil inventories dropped by 1.9 million barrels to 410.6 million barrels last week, according to the Energy Information Administration. This level is approximately 4% below the five-year average for this time of year.
AAA continues to monitor fuel trends as Arkansas drivers navigate these changes at the pump.