ATLANTA — Gas prices are surging with the summer heat, up nearly 20 cents in Georgia in just the last week according to figures reported by AAA-The Auto Club Group.
The latest numbers on the AAA website for Georgia's state average shows $3.56 per gallon, up from $3.36 per gallon reported just one week ago.
The good news for Peach State drivers is that the price is still almost 20 cents below the national average, and still below the $3.78 figure of one year ago this time.
It's also still nearly a dollar a gallon below last year's peak when gas prices really went through the roof. On June 15, 2022, AAA reported an average gas price of $4.49 per gallon in Georgia.
According to the organization, the most expensive gas markets in Georgia include Atlanta ($3.59), Savannah ($3.56) and Augusta ($3.53) while the cheapest are in Albany ($3.47), Rome ($3.46) and Catoosa-Dade-Walker counties ($3.45).
AAA attributes the rise in gas to rising prices for oil, which is now around $80 per barrel on global markets.
“The steady increase of crude oil prices and refineries having to adjust production because of soaring temperatures causes pump prices to elevate,” Montrae Waiters, AAA-The Auto Club Group spokeswoman, said in an emailed statement. “The cost of oil accounts for more than 50% of what we pay at the pumps, Georgians may not catch a break regarding gas prices any time soon if crude oil continues to rise.”