Map Shows Where Gas Prices Are Falling as States Suspend Fuel Taxes

Gas prices across the United States have been declining following several states' suspension of fuel taxes in reaction to President Donald Trump requesting the release of 100 million barrels of oil and diesel from the G7. As of Monday morning, the national average gas price stood at $4.36 per gallon, according to the American Automobile Association (AAA), a $0.12 decrease from the previous week.

Despite this improvement, the current price is still higher than the $4.15 average from a month prior and the $3.13 average from a year ago.

Patrick De Haan, GasBuddy's head of petroleum analysis, described the recent price drop as "not exactly the most organic decline." Gasoline and diesel prices experienced a significant reversal in the past week, falling by 12.5 cents and 14.2 cents per gallon, respectively. De Haan noted that this decline was driven primarily by Georgia and Ohio, both of which have temporarily suspended their fuel taxes.

Gas prices in Ohio are down by 39 cents from the previous week, while Georgia's prices have fallen by 38 cents. Half of the nation experienced a drop of over 10 cents per gallon in gasoline and diesel prices, with six states seeing declines greater than 20 cents per gallon.

GasBuddy's data shows that 13 states currently have average gas prices below the $4 mark. However, drivers in California are still paying the highest prices in the nation, with a statewide average of $6.39 per gallon. Only five other states have gas prices above $5 per gallon: Hawaii ($5.62), Washington ($5.48), Nevada ($5.48), Oregon ($5.04), and Alaska ($5.03). Indiana has the lowest average gas price at $3.74 per gallon, followed by Georgia at $3.85 per gallon and Ohio at $3.88 per gallon.

The nationwide average gas price is lower than the state averages in 32 states and higher in 19 states. AAA data aligns with GasBuddy's findings, indicating that the largest weekly declines occurred in Ohio and Georgia. Between September 28 and October 5, Ohio's statewide average gas price dropped from $4.31 to $3.88 per gallon, a 43-cent reduction.

Georgia's statewide average fell by 34 cents, from $4.19 to $3.85 per gallon. Florida experienced the third-largest decline, with a 28-cent decrease from $4.34 to $4.06 per gallon. These states have suspended fuel taxes in an effort to lower gas prices amid the ongoing war in Iran, which has disrupted global oil supplies and driven energy prices to record highs.

Georgia was the first state to suspend its fuel tax in March, with Governor Brian Kemp extending the break into June. In September, Ohio enacted a 90-day gas tax holiday, which was approved by lawmakers and is set to continue until October 29. Florida stands out as an outlier, as Republican Governor Ron DeSantis has refused to introduce a gas tax holiday, calling it a "political gimmick."

Recent price fluctuations may be attributed to the cyclical nature of gas prices in certain states, where prices tend to reset higher after a dip before slowly falling again. De Haan predicts that declines may continue in most states, though some cyclical markets may see a temporary price increase in the coming days.