Gas prices rise again in Augusta

Staff report

On July 13, Augustans could find the price of regular unleaded gas as low as $3.11 at some stations in Richmond and Columbia counties.

A week later, those low prices are gone.

Prices now are typically in the $3.70 to $3.90 range in Augusta.

Nationally, the average price at the pump has risen to just above $4 a gallon. Just a week ago, it was $3.85, and it had been $3.79 earlier in July.

And, a year ago, it was just $3.15 a gallon.

The most recent spike probably is due to the reigniting of the war between the United States and Iran. Another factor is Ukrainian attacks on Russian oil refineries.

The price of a barrel of oil has been on the rise for several week. Oil prices have a huge effect on gas prices.

West Texas Intermediate (WTI) is up to $84.50 a barrel, while Brent Crude is at $91.26 a barrel. The price of WTI was below $70 a barrel on July 3. It was just above $70 for Brent Crude on that same date.

Around Augusta, the lowest cost on July 21 was reported at Need More Kuntry Store on the corner of Windsor Spring and Travis roads. The cost there was $3.49 a gallon of regular unleaded.

The price was $3.59 a gallon at both COSTCO and Sam’s Club, two stores that generally have the lowest prices in Augusta. Members pay a yearly fee that helps subsidize the price of gas.

The price at Murphy USA on Wrightsboro Road was $3.63. Prices in a few places were above $4 a gallon.

According to the American Automobile Association (AAA), three states have the average price per gallon above $5. Those three are California, Washington and Hawaii. In San Diego, the average price for regular unleaded is $5.59, according to the San Diego Union-Tribune newspaper.

There is always the possibility of further spikes caused by  hurricanes and tropical storms along the Gulf. There currently is a tropical storm just off Florida.

AAA reported that the average price for a gallon of diesel nationally is $5.11.

Note: Image at the top of the page is by Engin Akyurt for Unsplash.