VIRGINIA BEACH — The national average for a gallon of gas wobbled by a few cents before ending up where it started a week ago at $3.22, according to AAA, which noted while pump prices have been sliding recently, the rapid intensification of Hurricane Helene appears to be having an effect.
“Hurricane Helene will likely impact gasoline demand, but not supply,” said Ryan Adcock, AAA Tidewater spokesperson. “The storm is missing the Gulf’s oil production and refining centers as it lumbers through the Southeast. But power outages, structural damage, and road flooding will hinder people from fueling up for a few days. So, any impact on the national average will probably be fleeting.”
According to new data from the Energy Information Administration (EIA), gas demand rose from 8.77 million barrels per day last week to 9.20. Meanwhile, total domestic gasoline stocks fell slightly from 221.6 million barrels to 220.1, while gasoline production increased last week, averaging 9.8 million barrels daily.
Tepid gasoline demand and low oil costs will likely keep pump prices sliding, AAA said.
Thursday’s national average for a gallon of gas is $3.22, 13 cents less than a month ago and 61 cents less than a year ago.
Locally, the gas price average for the Commonwealth increased to $3.02 — one cent higher than a week ago and twenty cents lower than a month ago. In Hampton Roads, the average cost per gallon is $2.95, which is three cents higher than last month and 56 cents higher than a year ago.
