(PADUCAH, Ky.) — Drivers in West Central Kentucky are paying more at the pump this week, with gas prices climbing six cents to $2.827 per gallon, according to AAA East Central’s latest Gas Price Report.
The regional increase runs counter to the broader national trend, where gas prices had been declining in recent weeks. However, as summer driving season comes to an end, the national average has ticked up three cents over the past week to $3.16 per gallon.
“Crude prices are still comparatively low, so that factor is stalling any major increases at the pump,” AAA noted in its report. The current national average matches prices from a month ago and remains 19 cents lower than the same period last year.
Demand and Supply Factors
New data from the Energy Information Administration (EIA) shows several factors influencing gas prices nationwide. Gasoline demand dropped from 9 million barrels per day to 8.84 million barrels last week. Meanwhile, total domestic gasoline supply decreased from 226.3 million barrels to 223.6 million barrels.
Gasoline production also declined, averaging 9.6 million barrels per day last week.
Oil markets saw movement Wednesday, with West Texas Intermediate crude rising 86 cents to close at $63.21 per barrel. The EIA reported that crude oil inventories fell by 6 million barrels from the previous week, bringing total U.S. crude oil inventories to 420.7 million barrels — about 6% below the five-year average for this time of year.
Regional Price Variations
Within West Central Kentucky, gas prices vary significantly by location. Paducah offers the lowest prices at $2.656 per gallon, while Louisville drivers face the highest costs at $3.109 per gallon. Other area prices include Owensboro at $2.718, Elizabethtown at $2.727, and Bowling Green at $2.927.
Current West Central Kentucky prices remain well below the record high of $4.742 per gallon set on June 13, 2022, though they represent an increase from $2.769 last week. Compared to one year ago, regional prices are down from $2.979 per gallon.
National Price Extremes
Nationally, California continues to lead with the highest gas prices at $4.49 per gallon, followed by Hawaii at $4.46. Mississippi offers the lowest prices in the country at $2.68 per gallon.
Electric Vehicle Charging Costs
For electric vehicle drivers, public charging costs remained stable nationwide at 36 cents per kilowatt hour. Alaska leads in charging costs at 51 cents per kilowatt hour, while Kansas offers the lowest rates at 25 cents per kilowatt hour.
Motorists can track current gas prices nationwide, by state, and by county at gasprices.aaa.com.