News Talk 94.1/AM 1600 Where The Upper Cumberland Talks
Gas prices across Tennessee are falling with the Upper Cumberland’s average price sitting slightly above the state average.
The state average for gas this week stands at $2.74, down 16 cents from last month. Across the Upper Cumberland, the average price rings in at $2.77. AAA Spokeswoman Megan Cooper said gas prices across the state have dropped six cents on average to start the new year.
“Typically Tennessee falls in the top ten of the least expensive state,” Cooper said. “So, we’re in a good spot here in Tennessee, and in the short term, over the next month or so, we do expect gas prices to stay low, so that’s a nice little first of the year gift for drivers.”
Putnam and White County gas prices are among the lowest in the state. Clay, Fentress, Overton, and Warren County gas prices are among the highest.
“As we head into the spring time, that is the point we make the switch from winter-blend gasoline to summer-blend gasoline,” Cooper said. “Summer blend is a little more expensive to produce. That trickles down into the price we pay at the pump. Springtime is also when people start taking road trips, so we see a big jump in gasoline demand and that only increases throughout the summer months.”
Cooper said half the price we pay at the pump is based on the price of crude oil, which is impacted by significant weather events and geo-political tensions.
“Gas stations are businesses,” Cooper said. “The taxes in that local area, what it takes to have employees, everything that is involved with running a business is also factored in. So, that’s where we see some of that fluctuation even in a small geographic area.”
Putnam’s average gas price currently sits at $2.65. Overton is at $2.81. White sits at $2.67. Jackson is at $2.73. Clay and Pickett both are averaging $2.89 a gallon. Fentress is at $2.76. Van Buren is at $2.80. Cumberland County is at $2.72. Warren is at $2.82. DeKalb is averaging $2.71 a gallon.
Cooper said prices are some of the lowest since COVID.
