VIRGINIA BEACH — The national average for a gallon of regular is slightly higher than a week ago and 5 cents higher than a month ago, according to AAA.
AAA said an increase in demand — as the weather gets nicer and more people get out and about — is pushing prices up slightly. But at $3.17, the national average remains well below what drivers were paying this time last year. That’s because the price of crude oil is on the lower side at $62 a barrel compared to $82 a barrel one year ago, AAA added.
According to new data from the Energy Information Administration (EIA), gasoline demand increased from 8.46 million barrels per day last week to 9.41 million. Total domestic gasoline supply decreased from 234.0 million barrels to 229.5 million, while gasoline production increased last week, averaging 10.1 million barrels per day.
Locally, the gas price average for the commonwealth Thursday is $3. — four cents lower than a week ago and six cents higher than a month ago. In Hampton Roads, prices decreased five cents to $2.97, which is the same as a month ago and 56 cents lower than a year ago, AAA said.
