Only a slight bump in gas prices ahead of holiday

Thanksgiving travelers won’t be gouged at the pump this travel season

Senior Petroleum Analyst LITTLE ROCK — Arkansas motorists have a little to be thankful for this Thanksgiving, as gas prices have only risen a modest 2.5 cents per gallon in the past week, averaging $2.29/gallon today, according to GasBuddy’s daily survey of 1,826 stations.

Gas prices in Arkansas are 0.4 cents per gallon higher than a month ago, yet stand 3.8 cents per gallon higher than a year ago.

According to GasBuddy price reports, the cheapest station in Arkansas is priced at $2.09/gallon today while the most expensive is $2.87/gallon, a difference of 78.0 cents per gallon. The lowest price in the state today is $2.09/ gallon while the highest is $2.87/gallon, a difference of 78.0 cents per gallon.

The cheapest price in the entire country today stands at $1.89/gallon while the most expensive is $6.24/ gallon, a difference of $4.35/gallon.

The national average price of gasoline has fallen 2.2 cents per gallon in the last week, averaging $2.58/ gallon today. The national average is down 2.6 cents per gallon from a month ago, yet stands 5.1 cents per gallon higher than a year ago.

Historical gasoline prices in Arkansas and the national average going back the last five years show the highest prices since 2014, when the statewide average was $2.63/gallon (U.S.

Average: $2.80/gallon) Neighboring areas and their current gas prices:

• Memphis – $2.32/gallon, down 2.0 cents per gallon from last week’s $2.34/ gallon.

• St. Louis – $2.36/gallon, unchanged from last week’s $2.37/gallon.

• Shreveport – $2.13/ gallon, down 1.3 cents per gallon from last week’s $2.14/gallon.

“Gas prices have continued to slowly decline over the last week as motorists gear up to hit the road to celebrate Thanksgiving Day, the busiest autumn holiday. With a 7% rise in travelers this year, the U.S.

is poised to set another record for most Thanksgiving travelers ever,” said Patrick DeHaan, head of petroleum analysis for GasBuddy. “Motorists who shop around for the next fill up this week could potentially shave 20-50 cents per gallon off their expense by shopping around- be wary of crossing state lines, especially in between regions like the Midwest or the Deep South.