Average retail gasoline prices in Chattanooga have risen 4.4 cents per gallon in the past week, averaging $2.12 per gallon on Monday, according to GasBuddy's daily survey of 170 gas outlets in Chattanooga. This compares with the national average that has increased 1 cent per gallon in the last week to $2.43 per gallon, according to gasoline price website GasBuddy.com.
Including the change in gas prices in Chattanooga during the past week, prices on Monday were 10.3 cents per gallon higher than the same day one year ago and are 5.2 cents per gallon lower than a month ago.
The national average has decreased 6.5 cents per gallon during the last month and stands 14.9 cents per gallon higher than this day one year ago.
According to GasBuddy historical data, gasoline prices on Dec. 26, in Chattanooga have ranged widely over the last five years:
$2.02 per gallon in 2016, $1.69 in 2015, $2.08 in 2014, $3.03 in 2013 and $3.04 in 2012.
Areas near Chattanooga and their current gas price climate:
Knoxville- $2.22, up 5.0 cents per gallon from last week's $2.17.
State of Tennessee- $2.20, up 2.3 cents per gallon from last week's $2.18.
Huntsville- $2.18, down 0.5 cents per gallon from last week's $2.18.
"The Great Lakes has seen a flurry of gas price increases over the last week as several refinery issues have surfaces, pulling the national average up nearly single-handedly," said Patrick DeHaan, head of petroleum analysis for GasBuddy. "Without such ill-timed disruptions, we'd see a plentiful portion of falling pump prices, but now, the bitter taste of rising prices during the holiday lingers for many. But with the New Year set to roll in accompanied by a strong cold front, I'd expect gasoline demand to weaken, thus softening the outlook for gas prices in the weeks ahead and eventually delivering lower gas prices. Offering a brief glimpse into 2018: motorists won't be loving what they see, but the devil's in the details."
GasBuddy will be releasing its Annual Fuel Outlook for 2018 on Jan. 3.