Drivers in Virginia could see a temporary surge in gas prices this week as Hurricane Florence begins to affect the East Coast, AAA Tidewater Virginia says.
“A storm like this typically causes an increase in fuel purchases in the market as consumers take steps to prepare ahead of the storm,” said AAA spokeswoman Georjeane Blumling. “Motorists can expect spikes in pump prices to be brief, but possibly dramatic.”
However, Virginia continues to have some of the lowest gas prices in the country, Blumling said. The average price for a gallon of gas in Virginia is $2.61, which is 1 cent less than last week but 7 cents more than last year, Blumling said. In Hampton Roads the average price is presently $2.60 per gallon, a penny less than last week, but 10 cents more than last year.
The national average for a gallon of gas is $2.85, according to AAA. The highest price is in Hawaii at $3.77 a gallon, while Alabama has the lowest price at $2.52 a gallon.
Gas prices are expected to fall this month as refiners switch over to winter-blend gasoline, Blumling said.
